▎ 摘 要
Few-layer graphene reinforced nickel matrix (GNs/Ni) composites were fabricated by a facile in-situ processing strategy involving the transformation from solid carbon precursors to graphene reinforcements under the vacuum hot-press sintering. It enabled the homogeneous distribution of reinforcements, the effective interfacial bonding between graphene nanosheets and Ni matrix, as well as the resisted grain growth during the high temperature consolidation process. The GNs/Ni composites exhibited exceptionally enhancement of the strength and ductility simultaneously. The composite with 0.3 wt% graphene achieved the optimal yield strength, tensile strength, and fracture elongation of 285 MPa, 611 MPa, and 56%, respectively, which were enhanced by 1.16, 1.34 and 1.37 folds compared to those of pure Ni bulk. The microstructures before and after tensile deformation demonstrated that the strengthening effect of in-situ grown graphene in the Ni matrix was attributed to the grain refinement and effective load transfer, while the toughening effect was related to the crack bridging and graphene pull-out mechanisms.