Characterisation of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced hot pressed Ti3SiC2 ceramic

Ti3SiC2 based ceramic reinforced by 5 wt-% graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) was prepared by hot pressing at 1550 degrees C for 1 h under a uniaxial pressure load of 30 MPa. The effects of GNPs on the strengthening and toughening of the hot pressed Ti3SiC2 based ceramic were investigated. Comparing with t monolithic Ti3SiC2 ceramic, the flexural strength and facture toughness of the Ti3SiC2-GNP ceramic were significantly improved. The flexural strength and fracture toughness increased from 451.9 to 800.6 MPa, and from 6.23 to 9.67 MPa m(1/2) respectively. The mechanism for these mechanical property improvements was attributed to the layered fracture of Ti3SiC2 grains, refined crystalline strengthening and GNP strengthening.China Postdoctoral Science Foundation [2014M550558, 2015T80018]; National Science Foundation of China [11402003, 11227801]SCI(E)EIARTICLEherujie@pku.edu.cn143-4811