Correlating micro-pillar compression behavior with bulk mechanical properties: Nanolaminated graphene-Al composite as a case study

Abstract

Uniaxial compression tests were carried out on nanolaminated graphene (reduced graphene oxide, RGO)-Al composite micro-pillars of various diameters. It was found that, when the pillar diameter was an order of magnitude larger than the internal microstructural length scale (Al lamella thickness), the pillars' mechanical behavior resembled that of the corresponding bulk. When the external length scale approached the internal one, however, both mechanical strength and deformation mode of the pillars significantly deviated from their bulk behavior. These results may have implications for the dimensional design of the small scale test specimens fabricated from bulk materials with a “real” microstructure.