Composite structural modeling and tensile mechanical behavior of graphene reinforced metal matrix composites

Owing to its distinguished mechanical stiffness and strength, graphene has become an ideal reinforcing material in kinds of composite materials. In this work, the graphene (reduced graphene oxide) reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composites were fabricated by flaky powder metallurgy. Tensile tests of pure Al matrix and graphene/Al composites with bioinspired layered structures are conducted. By means of an independently developed Python-based structural modeling program, three-dimensional microscopic structural models of graphene/Al composites can be established, in which the size, shape, orientation, location and content of graphene can be reconstructed in line with the actual graphene/Al composite structures. Elastoplastic mechanical properties, damaged materials behaviors, graphene-Al interfacial behaviors and reasonable boundary conditions are introduced and applied to perform the simulations. Based on the experimental and numerical tensile behaviors of graphene/Al composites, the effects of graphene morphology, graphene-Al interface, composite configuration and failure behavior within the tensile mechanical deformations of graphene/Al composites can be revealed and indicated, respectively. From the analysis above, a good understanding can be brought to light for the deformation mechanism of graphene/Al composites.