Microstructure and tensile properties of 5083 Al matrix composites reinforced with graphene oxide and graphene nanoplates prepared by pressure infiltration method

In the present work, 5083Al matrix composites reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) and graphene nanoplates (GNPs) have been prepared by the pressure infiltration method. Regardless of the graphene types, no peaks of Al4C3 phase have been detected by the XRD analysis. However, needle-like Al4C3 phase has been observed in the GO/5083Al and the GNPs/5083Al composites, while the content of the Al4C3 phase in the GNPs/5083Al composite was much lower. Furthermore, the segregation of Mg element at the surface of the GNPs has been found in the GNPs/5083Al composite, implying the inhibition effect of Mg element on the formation of the Al4C3 phase. It has been found that the yield strength of the composites was slightly improved by the addition of the GO and GNPs, and the GNPs/5083Al composite demonstrated 14% increment in the tensile strength. Meanwhile, the pulling-out of the GO and GNPs have been observed.