Effect of Pore Defects on Mechanical Properties of Graphene Reinforced Aluminum Nanocomposites

Pore defects have an important effect on the mechanical properties of graphene reinforced aluminum nanocomposites. The simulation study found that the pores affect the stress distribution in the matrix of the composite. Along the stretching direction, the larger stress appears on both sides of the pore, which is the source of potential cracks. It results in a sharp decrease in the mechanical properties of the composite. The higher the porosity, the greater the tendency of pore aggregation, and the risk of material failure is higher. The stress distribution in the matrix becomes more uneven as the pore size increases, and the large strain area around the pores also increases. Composites with circular pores have a higher strength than other irregularly shaped pores. The failure mode might be pore cracking, while composites with other shape pores are more prone to interface detachment. The simulation value of the stress-strain of the composite material is in good agreement with the experimental value, but the finite element simulation value is larger than the experimental value.