Copper-Graphene Composite Materials: Manufacturing Technology and Properties

Abstract

The article presents the results of preliminary research into the feasibility of copper-graphene composite application in the production of shaped charge liners in HEAT ammunition from graphene-coated copper grain powders by powder metallurgy techniques. Copper powder grains were coated with graphene with a machine and process developed at the Institute of Precision Mechanics in Warsaw (Poland). The characteristics of the applied powdered materials (including particle size distribution) were determined in this work. The paper discloses the result of graphene identification by Raman spectroscopy. The presence of graphene was confirmed in the processed copper powder. The paper discusses the preparation of copper powder by grinding (refinement) and reduction for consolidation. Powder mixtures of pure copper and graphene powder were applied at different component ratios. P/M compacts and sinters (agglomerates) for the test specimens were made from the proposed mixtures by die pressing and sintering in dissociated ammonia gas. Examples of microstructures and selected test results of material properties are shown for the produced sinters. The paper shows a selection of test results for the copper-graphene composites produced by PPS (Pulse Plasma Sintering) from 100% graphene-coated copper powder. The properties of the produced composite materials were determined, including their density, porosity, and a selection of mechanical properties identified by DSI (Depth Sensing Indentation). It was found that the copper-graphene composite met the primary design criteria applied to shaped charged liners for HEAT munitions. In “traditional” powder metallurgy processes, high-density products can be produced if the composite material features a low content of graphene-coated copper powder; PPS, however, makes the production viable with 100% graphene-coated copper powder.

Keywords

• powder metallurgy
• shaped charge liners
• graphene