Analysis of Mechanical and Thermal Material Characteristics of GPL-Reinforced Double-FG Composite Nanoplates under Temperature Load

This article analyzes the variation in the mechanical and thermal material characteristics of graphene platelets (GPLs)-reinforced double-functionally graded (FG) composite nanoplates subjected to thermal load. Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V and silicon nitride (Si3N4) metal-ceramic matrix is preferred for the nanoplate matrix due to their potential for use in thermal environments. The double-FG properties of the structure are provided by the functional dispersion of the ceramic-metal matrix as well as the effective arrangement of the GPLs in two distinct patterns throughout the plate's thickness (Type-X and Type-U). The thermal and mechanical characteristics of the matrix materials and GPLs are temperature-dependent. The effective material properties of the double-FG nanoplate matrix are obtained using Voigt's rule of mixture. The analysis is conducted to evaluate the influence of variables like temperature rise, GPLs weight ratio and GPLs distribution patterns on the thermal and mechanical properties of the nanoplate such as effective modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio, coefficient of thermal expansion and coefficient of thermal conductivity. According to the results of the analysis, it is determined that the thermal and mechanical characteristics of the proposed plate change significantly with temperature rise and exhibit quite different performance at room temperature and high temperature environments. With the presented work, it is expected to provide significant contribution to aerospace, marine and medical applications, micro and nano electromechanical devices, microprocessors and transistors that will operate in environments requiring high temperature and corrosion resistance.