This paper presents a study on graphene-reinforced Al2O3-SiCw ceramic composites and the relationship between graphene oxide (GO) loading and the resulting mechanical and electrical properties. Well-dispersed ceramic-GO powders were fabricated using a colloidal processing route. Dense composites were obtained via spark plasma sintering, a technique that has the ability to reduce GO to graphene in situ during the sintering process. The mechanical properties of the sintered composites were investigated. The composite with only a small amount of graphene (0.5 vol.%) showed the highest flexural strength (904 ± 56 MPa), fracture toughness (10.6 ± 0.3 MPa·m1/2) and hardness (22 ± 0.8 GPa) with an extremely good dispersion of graphene within the ceramic matrix. In addition to these exceptional mechanical properties, the sintered composites also showed high electrical conductivity, which allows the compacts to be machined using electrical discharge machining and thus facilitates the fabrication of ceramic components with sophisticated shapes while reducing machining costs.

Authors would like to thank The Ministry of the Russian Federation supported this work in the frame of Governmental Regulation of the Russian Federation No. 220, 9 April 2010 by contract 14.B25.31.0012, 26 June 2013.

Peer reviewed

Peer Reviewed