Bioinspired multiscale Al2O3-rGO/Al laminated composites with superior mechanical properties

Nacre's multiscale reinforcing mechanisms provide lessons for the design and fabrication of high-performance engineering composites. In this study, the addition of hierarchically aligned flake Al2O3 and reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) nanosheets into Al matrix constitute the bioinspired multiscale Al2O3-rGO/Al laminated composite via flake powder metallurgy. The results show that multiscale Al2O3-rGO reinforcements have the synergistic strengthening effect of 1 + 1>2. Extra strengthening mechanism is attributed to enhanced load transfer due to good bonding at Al2O3/rGO/Al interface. Compared to Al2O3/Al composite, the uniform elongation of Al2O3-rGO/Al laminated composite doesn't decrease due to the higher strain hardening capacity. The work presented here provides a new strategy for developing advanced composites with simultaneous enhancement of the modulus-strength-ductility.

Automated summary

The bioinspired multiscale Al2O3-rGO/Al laminated composite, prepared by adding hierarchically aligned Al2O3 and rGO nanosheets into Al matrix, shows a synergistic strengthening effect and additional strengthening mechanism attributed to enhanced load transfer due to good bonding at Al2O3/rGO/Al interface. It presents a new strategy for developing advanced composites with simultaneous enhancement of the modulus-strength-ductility.