Ultra-high Strength Superelastic Transforming Metal Matrix-Graphene Composites
Abstract
We propose to develop a new generation of Metal Matrix Composites with an unprecedentedstrength (>3-5 GPa) and exceptional recoverable strain (~5-8%). Since the early dates ofdiscovering superior intrinsic mechanical properties in nanoscale materials, the results of everyattempt on adding these nanoscale materials to a metal matrix composite to achieve similarextraordinary properties at the bulk level has been disappointing. This failure is mainly due to theformation of dislocations in the metal matrix, and very large local lattice strains around thesedislocations which prevent an efficient load transfer from the nanoparticles to the matrix. Thisfundamental research proposes novel Graphene-Metal composites in which the metal matrixundergoes a recoverable phase transformation when subjected to mechanical loadings. Theuniform large recoverable lattice strain of the metal matrix due to this phase transformationdeforms the embedded graphene elastically. Such a large elastic deformation in graphenetransfers a huge strength from embedded graphene to the matrix, and will lead to a compositematerial with ultra-high strength. As the deformation mechanisms in both the matrix andgraphene are recoverable, the material will also exhibit an exceptional large recoverable strain.Atomistic-scale computational investigations and experimental studies are designed to determinedetails of this hypothetical deformation mechanism, and fabricate samples of this material. Asgraphene retains its exceptional mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, the proposedconcept is also used to develop a material with the same exceptional mechanical performance athigh temperatures, by considering a high temperature phase transforming metal matrix andgraphene.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810169
Entities
People
- Reza Mirzaeifar
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- Virginia Tech