Molecular dynamics studies on the strengthening mechanism of Al matrix composites reinforced by grapnene nanoplatelets

Abstract Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have been widely used, to strengthen different types of materials including polymers, ceramics, and metals due to their extraordinarily high strength. In this work, we, investigated the influence of GNPs on the mechanical characteristics of, GNP/Al composites by using molecular dynamics simulations. Four different, molecular dynamics models with varying GNP geometry size and charity are, established to study the deformation and strengthening mechanism of, GNP/Al composites. The simulations provide insights into various fracture, behaviors at the atomic scale, including lattice disordering, local, changes in lattice structures due to stacking faults. The results reveal, that the addition of a small amount of GNPs led to a significant, enhancement in stiffness and strength of GNP/Al composites. It further, reveals that the elasticity and strength enhancement is proportional to, GNP Size. In addition, the GNP/Al composites reinforced by armchair GNPs, show better enhancement in the mechanical behavior of reinforced matrix, than those strengthened by zigzag GNPs. It also reveals that the fracture, behavior of GNP/Al composites is mainly governed by GNPs.