Insight into ultra-refined grains of aluminum matrix composites via deformation-driven metallurgy

• DOI: 10.1016/j.coco.2021.100776
• Publication Date: 2021-05-12T16:55:33Z
• Authors: Yuming Xie; Xiangchen Meng; Yulong Li; Dongxin Mao; Long Wan; Yongxian Huang
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

Abstract Ultra-refined grains were obtained in few-layer graphene nanoplatelets reinforced aluminum matrix composites via deformation-driven metallurgy under coupled thermo-mechanical effect. Fragmentation, thinning and re-dispersion of the reinforcements accelerated the nucleation of recrystallized grains and inhibited the migration of grain boundaries. The synergy grain refinement mechanism led to a greatly refined microstructure with an average grain size of 267.0 nm, which was much smaller than the grain size of conventional aluminum matrix composites to realize high strengthening-toughening efficiency. This novel preparation route showed the capacity of developing ultra-fine aluminum matrix composites with the exceptional grain refinement towards ultra-lightweight design.