# The Influence of the Defect Rate of Graphene on Its Reinforcing Capability Within High-Entropy Alloys

## TL;DR

This paper explores how defects in graphene affect its ability to strengthen a specific type of metal alloy.

## Contribution

The study reveals how vacancy defects in graphene influence its reinforcing effect in high-entropy alloys through molecular dynamics simulations.

## Key findings

- Vacancy defects in graphene reduce its strength and lead to premature failure in composites.
- Graphene with defects lowers yield stress in tension but still impedes dislocations.
- Graphene shows stronger reinforcement during compression when defect rates are below 1%.

## Abstract

Graphene, a remarkable two-dimensional material, enhances the mechanical properties of high-entropy alloys as a reinforcing phase. This study investigated the influence of vacancy defects in graphene on the strengthening effect of FeNiCrCoCu high-entropy alloy through molecular dynamics simulations. The findings reveal that vacancy defects diminish graphene’s strength, resulting in its premature failure. In tensile tests, graphene with defects lowers the yield stress of the composite, yet it retains the ability to impede dislocations. Conversely, graphene exhibits a more pronounced strengthening effect during compression. Specifically, when the deletion of C atoms is less than 1%, the impact is negligible; between 1% and 6%, the strengthening effect diminishes; and when it surpasses 6%, the strengthening effect virtually ceases to exist. This research offers a theoretical foundation for optimizing graphene-reinforced composites.