Enhancing cutting tool durability: exploration of Al2O3-SiCw-graphene composites fabricated by SPS for improved mechanical and scratch resistance

Abstract

[EN] This study focuses on the fabrication and characterisation of Al2O3-SiCw-rGO composites sintered by spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The research is mainly focused on understanding the impact of varying graphene content (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 vol %) on nanomechanical properties and scratch resistance. Among the compositions investigated, the composite containing 0.5 vol% graphene showed superior mechanical properties. Specifically, it exhibited a hardness of similar to 30 GPa, a fracture toughness of 10.5 MPa m(1/2) and a flexural strength of similar to 920 MPa. In addition, this composite showed remarkable scratch resistance compared to composites with a higher or lower graphene content. In addition to mechanical properties, the fabricated composites also exhibited high electrical conductivity. This characteristic is especially advantageous for electrical discharge machining (EDM) processes. The high electrical conductivity enables efficient machining of complex shapes by EDM, thereby reducing machining costs while ensuring accuracy and efficiency.