An investigation on the effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets on The Compaction behaviour of Pure Copper Powders

The compressibility of a copper matrix reinforced with different weight percentages of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) produced by a novel wet method followed by conventional powder metallurgy was investigated. GNPs were added by a wet mixing method to avoid structural damage. The composite powder mixture was consolidated via cold uniaxial compaction. The samples were sintered at different temperatures to assess the sintering behaviour of the composites. The relative density, compressibility, sinterability and Vickers hardness of the composites were evaluated. The effects of GNPs on the consolidation behaviour of the matrix were studied by using the Heckel, Panelli and Ambrosio Filho and Ge equations. The fabricated composites exhibited approximately 50% higher Vickers hardness concerning the pure copper.