Fabrication of MgO/Graphene Composites by Combustion Synthesis and Spark Plasma Sintering

MgO/Graphene ceramic composites were fabricated by combining combustion synthesis with spark plasma sintering. MgO/Graphene mixture powders were prepared by the combustion reaction between Mg powders and CO2 gas. Dense MgO/Graphene composites were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using LiF as the sintering additive. The effect of the sintering temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of the prepared MgO/Graphene ceramics was discussed. The sintering temperature of the MgO/Graphene mixture powders increased from 900°C to 1300°C. The highest density of 3.43g/cm3 and hardness of 2133MPa were obtained at 1100°C. Compared with monolithic MgO ceramics, the hardness of MgO/Graphene ceramics at the same sintering temperature was increased from 840MPa to 2133MPa.