Abstract：Improving the interfacial bonding between aluminum matrix and graphene reinforcement is the key to improve the mechanical properties of the aluminum matrix composites. In this paper, copper-coated graphene reinforced aluminum matrix composites were prepared by powder metallurgy and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effects of different amounts of copper-coated graphene on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of aluminum matrix composites were studied. The results show that through the pretreatment of graphene and electroless plating process, the copper coating on graphene surface with uniform size, uniform distribution, complete film and good bonding strength can be obtained. Copper-coated graphene as reinforced phase can improve the wettability and interface bonding strength between graphene and aluminum matrix. When the content of graphene in the composite reaches 0.2%, the composites exhibit the best performance, the density reaches 99.63%, the hardness, tensile strength and bending strength are 60.13 HV, 152.88 MPa and 659.47 MPa, respectively, which increased by 48.95%, 149.48% and 470.08% respectively as compared to pure aluminum. However, the composite materials show decreased corrosion resistance due to the galvanic corrosion between graphene carbon and the aluminum matrix.
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2018, Vol. 23 
