Enhanced mechanical and electrical properties of novel graphene reinforced copper matrix composites

By this report, we described the synthesis of graphene (1 wt%) reinforced copper matrix composites (Cu-GNS) by using the mechanical milling and the hot pressing. The structure and morphology of the few layer graphene nanosheets (GNS) reinforced copper matrix composites were discussed with the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques, respectively. The influence of the mechanical milling on the microstructure was analyzed. The chemical compatibility and successful formation of the composites were confirmed by the X-ray diffraction studies. The consolidation of the powders was performed by using vacuum hot-press sintering (at 600 and 700 °C). The hardness and electrical conductivity were discussed with respect to the sintering temperatures. An improvement in the electrical conductivity around 22% for 1 wt% graphene reinforced Cu when compared with the pure Cu matrix consolidated at 600 °C was observed. The importance of lower sintering temperature and higher applied load in the consolidation (600 °C, 30 MPa for 30 min) to obtain the Cu-GNS composites with improved physical, mechanical and electrical properties was emphasized.