Mechanical response and interface properties of graphene-metal composites: A review

Abstract

This review explores recent advancements and ongoing challenges in understanding the interface properties and mechanical behavior of graphene-metal composites (GMCs). As a reinforcement material, graphene offers a promising avenue for developing metal matrix composites with enhanced properties, including increased strength, toughness, radiation resistance, and shock tolerance. These improvements depend on factors such as graphene content, fabrication techniques, orientation, and local interface structures. Optimizing these parameters and refining processing methods could unlock the full potential of GMCs for a wide range of applications. The review also examines strategies to further enhance mechanical performance, such as incorporating nanoparticles with graphene and designing hierarchical or hybrid microstructures to improve load-bearing capacity and toughness. Additionally, it discusses graphene's role in grain structure refinement, emphasizing the impact of processing conditions on mechanical properties. Key topics include deformation twinning, nanoindentation, and mechanical responses under quasi-static and extreme loading conditions. This review highlights the critical importance of deliberately engineered interface structures in determining the performance of GMCs. Finally, it underscores the need for advanced computational models to bridge atomic-scale interactions with macroscopic behaviors, offering deeper insights and improved predictive capabilities for strengthening mechanisms in GMCs.