The Effect of Atomic Interdiffusion at the Al/Сu Interface in an Al/Сu Composite on Its Mechanical Properties: Molecular Dynamics

Abstract

Composites with an aluminum matrix are relevant materials for research, since they are superior to conventional materials in their mechanical characteristics and can be used in various industries. In this work, the method of molecular dynamics is used to study the interdiffusion at an Al/Cu mixing interfaceunder compression combined with the shear deformation. Molecular dynamics tensile tests of the obtainedcomposite have been performed after combined compression to different strains. The deformation schemeused in this work is a simplified scenario that was previously experimentally performed to obtain Al/Cu composites.It has been shown that compression combined with the shear deformation is an effective way to obtaina composite structure. It has been found that under deformation Cu atoms more easily diffuse into an Al blockthan Al atoms diffuse into a Cu block. Tensile tests performed after the combined compression show that fracturingoccurs in the aluminum part of the composite; therefore, the Al/Cu mixing interface is stronger thanthe pure aluminum part.