Influence of matrix recrystallization and nanofiller porosity on the interfacial properties of holey graphene-aluminium nanocomposites

Abstract

Due to their excellent properties, graphene-like 2D structures have been widely used to reinforce aluminium nanocomposites. However, the interfacial behaviour presented by different types of holey graphenes and their reinforcing effect on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites are still not completely clear. In this work, Molecular Dynamics simulations are used to investigate the interfacial behaviour between five different graphenes and an aluminium matrix (Al-graphene, Al-Phagraphene, Al-haeckelite, Al-N-holey-graphene (hG) and Al-B-hG). Using pull-out loading test, the influence of the 2D nanofillers porosity on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites is assessed. Additionally, and regarding the aluminium matrix, two different cases were studied: (i) the aluminium matrix was not recrystallized and (ii) the aluminium matrix was melted and then recrystallized. It was found that the introduction of porous graphene improves the interfacial adhesion in the nanocomposites while the pull-out force and interfacial shear strength of the nanocomposites are significantly higher when the aluminium matrix is previously melted and then recrystallized.