This work investigates the role of a carbon nanophase on the local mechanical behavior of nano-carbon metal composites (NCMCs) produced through an electrocharge-assisted process. Nanoindentation experiments on single crystal Al, Al 1350 parent alloys, and Al 1350 NCMCs revealed variable mechanical properties, caused by an interplay between microstructure and graphitic reinforcements. TEM and AFM studies also reveal nanoscale structural changes based on the incorporation of a carbon nanophase. In order to decouple the effects of the aforementioned mechanical behaviors, molecular dynamics nanoindentation simulations were performed on the (111) surface of Al and Al NCMC samples containing semi-infinite graphene nanoribbons to examine the evolution of plasticity over time. Findings indicate that the arrangement of a finite graphene nanophase within a host matrix can alter plasticity mechanisms and therefore yield strength in near-surface mechanical behaviors with little effect on elastic properties. This understanding should enable further study into tunable bulk properties of Al-based NCMCs while isolating microstructural effects and reinforcement effects of the carbon phase. Such an understanding could lead to application-specific material geometries ranging from high-performing vehicle structures to next-generation electrical devices.

这项工作研究了碳纳米相在通过电荷辅助过程生产的纳米碳金属复合材料（NCMC）的局部力学行为中的作用。在单晶Al，Al 1350母合金和Al 1350 NCMC上进行的纳米压痕实验表明，由于微观结构和石墨增强材料之间的相互作用，导致了可变的机械性能。TEM和AFM研究还揭示了基于碳纳米相掺入的纳米级结构变化。为了消除上述机械行为的影响，在含半无限石墨烯纳米带的Al和Al NCMC样品的（111）表面上进行了分子动力学纳米压痕模拟，以检查可塑性随时间的变化。研究结果表明，有限的石墨烯纳米相在基质中的排列可以改变可塑性机制，从而在近表面力学行为中产生强度，而对弹性的影响很小。这种理解应该能够进一步研究铝基NCMC的可调节整体性能，同时隔离碳相的微观结构效应和增强效应。这种理解可能导致特定应用的材料几何形状，从高性能的车辆结构到下一代的电气设备。这种理解应该能够进一步研究铝基NCMC的可调节整体性能，同时隔离碳相的微观结构效应和增强效应。这种理解可能导致特定应用的材料几何形状，从高性能的车辆结构到下一代的电气设备。这种理解应该能够进一步研究铝基NCMC的可调节整体性能，同时隔离碳相的微观结构效应和增强效应。这种理解可能导致特定应用的材料几何形状，从高性能的车辆结构到下一代的电气设备。