Novel Graphene Mg Nanocomposite for High Strength and Lightweight Structural Applications

Mg alloys such as AZ31 are attractive for military armor applications, because of their strength to weight ratio, and ease of machining. Research has shown that reduction of grain sizes below 100 nm can result in an increase in material performance, and strength. However Mg nano-particles can be dangerous to process, as a result of their pyrophoric nature, and very sensitive to corrosion and oxidation. By using a unique synthesis technique, GDL will combine graphene nano-particles with Mg nano-particles in a chemical solution phase method. This method will strengthen the resulting nanocomposite and increase corrosion resistance of the nano-Mg. This novel nanocomposite will have the advantages of being lighter than aluminum alloys, while having as high or higher strength, without the normal vulnerabilities and dangers of Mg processing. It will also lower the cost of production using Spark Plasma Sintering to produce near net shapes directly from powder. As a result particle sizes can be reduced and keep below 100 nm in diameter, and tensile strength should be increased well over 300 MPa g-1 cm3 while also increasing ductility.