Improving the Mechanical Properties of GPLs-SiAlON Composites by Microfluidization Technique as a New Approach to Dispersion of GPLs

Graphene platelets (GPLs) are frequently preferred as reinforcement material to improve the mechanical properties of many advanced technology ceramics, thanks their superior properties. However, levels vary depending on whether they homogeneously distributed in matrix microstructure. This is generally controlled by thickness (number layers) GPLs. In general, single- or few-layer GPLs show high performance but commercially expensive. limits large-scale use. study aims achieve (GPLRef), which determined have a level quite expensive, economically thinning other (C0-GPL) with similar platelet size cheaper and thicker structure. For this purpose, microfluidization technique, new approach dispersion GPLs, was applied. C0-GPL exposed 1, 2, 4 8 cycles process. Microfluidized were added SiAlON at ratio 1.5 wt %, GPLs-SiAlON composites sintered using spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The decreased number applied increased. while reduction not significant up 2 cycles, it very pronounced cycles. Raman analyses revealed that could be dispersed effectively for After point, fragmented rather than thin slightly thinner GPLRef obtained (C2-GPL). Therefore, C2-GPL more microstructure compared GPLRef. As result, both through-plane in-plane direction fracture toughness values containing C2-GPL, partially preserved size, higher those GPLRef-SiAlON. microfluidized lower GPLRef-SiAlON an adverse effect decreasing size. It has been expensive can achieved applying cost-effective C0-GPL.