Abstract Graphene, a single-atom-thick sheet of sp2 hybridized carbon atoms densely packed within a hexagonal crystal lattice, owes a significant portion of its rapidly expanding usage in various fields of industry and science to its large surface area, lightweight, unique electronic and thermal properties, and extraordinary mechanical properties that it possesses. Using lightweight and high-strength materials leads to a substantial decrease in fuel consumption as well as an increase in payload. Among the numerous candidates to fulfill the aforementioned requirements, Al alloys and specifically, Al matrix composites (AMCs) reinforced with various graphene particles (nano-sheets, nano-platelets, etc.) stand out owing to their inherent lightweight, high specific strength and modulus, superior ductility and excellent thermal conductivity. In this paper, it has been endeavored to provide a comprehensive overview of the various methods of the synthesis and fabrication of graphene-reinforced AMCs with an overall intention of achieving a homogeneous distribution of graphene within the Al matrix. The emphasis of this review has been largely placed upon the detailed examination of the mechanical properties of these composites described in the recent literature published in this field. The strengthening mechanisms of Al/graphene composites, as well as the parameters affecting the strength and ductility achieved by graphene, such as the agglomeration of graphene within the Al matrix and Al/graphene interfacial reactions, have been elucidated. The role of graphene on the electrical and thermal properties of graphene-reinforced AMCs and the directions for future research are addressed. It should be noted, however, that while a diligent analysis of various works published in the field of Al/graphene composites has been carried out in this review, an exact comparison between the varying stages of each work, or their final properties is impractical, mainly due to the differences in the used initial substances, processing, and analyses.

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石墨烯增强铝基复合材料：生产、微观结构和性能综述

摘要 石墨烯是一种单原子厚的 sp2 杂化碳原子片，密集地堆积在六方晶格中，在工业和科学的各个领域迅速扩大应用的很大一部分归功于其大表面积、重量轻、独特的电子和它具有的热性能和非凡的机械性能。使用轻质和高强度材料可大幅降低油耗并增加有效载荷。在满足上述要求的众多候选材料中，铝合金，特别是用各种石墨烯颗粒（纳米片、纳米片等）增强的铝基复合材料（AMC）因其固有的轻质、高比强度和高比强度而脱颖而出。模量、优良的延展性和优良的导热性。在本文中，已努力提供合成和制造石墨烯增强型 AMC 的各种方法的全面概述，其总体目的是实现石墨烯在铝基体中的均匀分布。本综述的重点主要放在对该领域最近发表的文献中描述的这些复合材料的机械性能的详细检查上。已经阐明了铝/石墨烯复合材料的强化机制，以及影响石墨烯强度和延展性的参数，例如石墨烯在铝基体中的团聚和铝/石墨烯界面反应。讨论了石墨烯对石墨烯增强型 AMC 的电学和热学性能的作用以及未来研究的方向。