  We carry out molecular dynamics simulations of nanoindentation to investigate
the effect of cementite size and temperature on the deformation behavior of
nanocomposite pearlite composed of alternating ferrite and cementite layers. We
find that, instead of the coherent transmission, dislocation propagates by
forming a widespread plastic deformation in cementite layer. We also show that
increasing temperature enhances the distribution of plastic strain in the
ferrite layer, which reduces the stress acting on the cementite layer. Hence,
thickening cementite layer or increasing temperature reduces the likelihood of
dislocation propagation through the cementite layer. Our finding sheds a light
on the mechanism of dislocation blocking by cementite layer in the pearlite.
