Micromechanics of plastic deformation through grain-boundary migration in metal–graphene nanocomposites

Abstract

A theoretical description of the plastic deformation of metal–graphene nanocomposites through stress-induced migration of grain boundaries is proposed. Within the micromechanical approach developed, the plastic deformation induced by this migration leads to the formation of disclination quadrupoles (intense elastic stress sources). The energy characteristics and critical stress are calculated for the plastic deformation mode under consideration. The influence of graphene nanoinclusions is shown to cause significant hardening of metal–graphene nanocomposites. This conclusion is consistent with the corresponding experimental data.