Characterization and Processing of Graphene Ceramic Matrix Composites

• Grant number: 25/08644-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2026
• End date: June 30, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Manufacturing Processes
• Principal Investigator: Cesar Renato Foschini
• Grantee: Cesar Renato Foschini
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Bauru
• Associated researchers: Alexandre Tácito Malavolta ; Ana Flávia Sanches Borges ; Maria Cristina Ramirez ; Paulo Noronha Lisboa Filho ; Renan Luis Fragelli ; Thiago Valle França ; Vicente Gerlin Neto

Abstract

Advanced ceramics, or engineering ceramics, differ from traditional ceramics due to their specialized properties and sophisticated manufacturing process. Among other characteristics, this material has high thermal resistance, hardness, wear resistance, chemical inertness, thermal stability and a high stiffness-to-weight ratio. They are increasingly used in high-performance applications. However, their full application in many areas is limited by their inherent brittleness, more specifically by their low fracture toughness when compared to steels. Recently, new ceramic materials reinforced with graphene (graphene ceramic matrix composites - GCMC) have been developed to overcome these disadvantages. Graphene can be present in various forms and when added as a filler material in the manufacture of engineering ceramics, it considerably improves fracture toughness, friction resistance and thermal conductivity, making it an interesting material for application in cutting inserts. Furthermore, these tools must be tough to withstand mechanical shocks during the machining process, which may occur due to material heterogeneities or vibrations resulting from the process. Consequently, machinability studies are necessary to better understand the phenomena that occur in chip formation, taking as a reference the concepts related to the machining of brittle materials. Considering the potential application of this type of material in the production of tools, this work aims to generate knowledge for the production of GCMC cutting inserts formed by Al2O3 and ZrO2 matrix. In this sense, the processing techniques, material properties, its grindability and applicability in the turning process will be investigated, together with a thermal model using finite elements, in order to define the gains generated by the GCMC insert in relation to the conventional ceramic insert. (AU)