Effect of graphene on the mechanical properties of metallic glasses: Insight from molecular dynamics simulation

Abstract

The effect of the graphene on the mechanical properties of the Cu50Zr50 metallic glass (MG) is investigated by molecular dynamics simulation method. The results show that the introduction of graphene can increase the strength of the MG and also enhance its plastic deformation ability. The results also indicate that the mechanical properties and deformation behavior of the MG/graphene nanolaminates (MGGNLs) are closely related to the graphene embedded position. It is worth highlighting that there is a threshold for the embedding position of graphene, which makes the plastic deformation of the MGGNL reach uniform deformation. With the increase of graphene insertion distance, the plastic deformation mode of the MGGNL changes from the interaction of multiple shear bands (SBs) to uniform deformation, and ultimately to a dominant SB propagation. The results indicate that the high-strength and high-plasticity MGGNLs can be obtained by introducing graphene and optimizing its insertion position.