Atomistic Insights into Enhanched Nanoindentation Performance of High-Entropy Alloy/Graphene Composite

This investigation delves into the nanoindentation behavior of Graphene (Gr)-reinforced Al0.3CoCrFeNi High-Entropy Alloy (HEA) composite using a molecular dynamics framework. The Gr sheet serves to reinforce the surface of the substrate model, which is characterized by dimensions of 300Å × 300Å × 160Å and comprises 1,241,061 atoms. Findings indicate that the HEA/Gr composite exhibits notably higher force response in the plastic deformation regime compared to the non-coated HEA substrate during nanoindentation process. Specifically, achieving identical indentation depth demands significantly greater force with the composite substrate. The hardness of the non-coated HEA rises from 13.54 GPa to 24.1 GPa post-Gr sheet coating. Additionally, Gr coating effectively mitigates pile-up damage within the HEA substrate. This study provides significant understanding regarding the improved mechanical characteristics of Gr-coated Al0.3CoCrFeNi HEA composite, which can be beneficial for various engineering applications.