The effect of BNNS distribution on the plastic deformation of BNNS/ Al composites during the nanoindentation

Although it has been demonstrated that BNNS/Al composites have excellent tensile and compressive properties, the effect of BNNS's distribution on the hardness of BNNS/Al composites has been rarely studied. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to obtain the nanoindentation process of the BNNS/Al models with different distribution angles of BNNS. The results show that the distribution angle of BNNS in the Al matrix has little effect on the hardness and dislocation density. However, different angles have a great influence on the deformation of the Al matrix. When the plane of BNNS is in the same direction as the slippage, the atomic strain of the Al matrix can extend to the bottom of the material. While other distributions have a hindering effect on the atomic strain of the Al matrix. In addition, the distribution of BNNS also changes the extension direction of the phase transition of the Al matrix.