Mechanical behaviours of graphene reinforced copper matrix nanocomposites containing defects

Tensile behaviours of graphene reinforced copper nanocomposite are investigated by using molecular dynamics simulations. Defects in graphene and cracks in copper matrix are considered. It is shown that copper matrix protects defective graphene, demonstrating that Young's modulus of the nanocomposite is deteriorated slightly by vacancy defects in graphene regardless of the defect shape and location; the appearance of copper matrix crack significantly decreases the modulus in spite of the matrix crack orientation. Besides, Young's modulus of the nanocomposite improves dramatically when subjected to in-plane direction loading, and it is roughly inversely proportional to temperature. This work also reveals the mechanisms underlying mechanical behaviours of graphene/copper nanocomposites caused by defects in graphene and cracks in matrix at the nanoscale.