The Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Silicon Carbide Containing Graphene Nanoplatelets Sonicated for Different Times

Abstract

In this study, the effects of adding the graphene nanoplatelets (GPLs) prepared at different probe sonication times such as 1, 2, 4 and 6 h on the microstructure and mechanical properties of silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations and size measurements revealed that the dimension of GPLs decreased with increasing sonication time. However, the reduction in the dimension of the GPLs was very low up to the 2 h sonication time and became more pronounced at the 4 and 6 h sonication times. Raman analyses indicated that dispersions of GPLs agglomerates increased as well as defects and/or disorders in their structures with increasing sonication time. However, the thickness of the well-dispersed GPLs obtained at the 2 h sonication time did not change when the sonication time was increased to 4 and 6 h. GPLs were exfoliated with probe sonication and exhibited a homogeneous distribution in the SiC matrix microstructure. The highest increment in the fracture toughness of SiC in both the through-plane (//) and in-plane (⊥) directions was achieved with the addition of GPLs sonicated for 2 h among the GPLs prepared at different sonication times. The higher contribution of 2-h sonicated GPLs to fracture toughness than non-sonicated and 1-h sonicated GPLs was associated with their more uniform distribution in the matrix microstructure, while higher toughness values they provided compared to 4 and 6 h sonicated GPLs could be explained by the positive effect of their higher lateral dimension and aspect ratio. GPLs have improved the fracture toughness of SiC mainly with the help of bridging and deflection toughening mechanisms.

Keywords

• Graphene Nanoplatelets (GPLs)
• Sonication
• Fracture Toughness
• Silicon Carbide

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