Relating the strength of graphene/metal composites to the graphene orientation and position

This letter presents new insight on the underlying strengthening mechanisms that take place during deformation of iron-graphene (Fe/Gr) composites. Molecular dynamics revealed that the Gr orientation dictated the dislocation evolution during compression, revealing three possible dislocation-Gr interaction mechanisms: transmission, reflection and gliding. A new numerical materials design was therefore proposed of a lamellae Fe-Gr structure with a short graphene sheet inserted in Fe, whose orientation resulted in reflection. Decreasing the distance between the long and short Gr-sheets resulted in the stronger composites. This method can be used for predicting the properties of graphene reinforced composites based on the Gr structure. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.