Mechanical behavior of graphene or SiC reinforced aluminum matrix composites under dynamic loading

Abstract

Quasi-static compression experiments on graphene-reinforced aluminum matrix composites were carried out by means of microcomputer controlled electronic universal testing machine, while dynamic behavior of the composites at various high strain rates was determined by split hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine the morphological feature of aluminum matrix composites reinforced respectively by grapheme and SiC. The results show that at all strain rate, the yield strength of aluminum is improved both with addition of graphene and SiC, by incorporation of graphene, the yield strength of aluminum is improved more significantly, but without affecting the strain hardening rate of the material. In comparison with SiC as reinforcements, use of graphene undermines strain rate sensitivity of the composites, and meanwhile results in a decline in ultimate strength. J-C and Z-A constitutive models were fitted respectively to the experimental results to obtain relative parameters. Comparison between the two models suggests that J-C model is more accurate in terms of describing stress-strain behavior of both composites reinforced respectively by graphene and SiC.

Keywords

• impact mechanics
• graphene
• SiC
• aluminum matrix composite
• constitutive model