Atomistic Simulation of the Mechanical Behaviors of Cu/sic Nanocomposites

The nanocomposites containing nanosized microstructure have extensively motivated researchers to investigate the mechanical properties of such composites. Metal/ceramics nanocomposites, which are composed of low-melting-point metal and high-melting-point ceramics, can provide desirable mechanical properties including high specific stiffness, high plastic flow strength, creep resistance, good oxidation and corrosion resistance [1-3], and have potential application in thermal protection system (TPS), especially for the usage in thermal shock environment [4,5]. When co-continuous metal/ceramic composites are created in which both the metallic and the ceramic components are of nanoscale size [6], by controlling the nanostructure scale of ceramics nanoporous network, it is possible to significantly enhance the mechanical properties of metal/ceramics nanocomposites. The nature of the high interface/volume ratio and synergy of the combined physical properties may lead to a novel functional materials.