Mesoscale Modeling of Al/Ni Composites

•Mesoscale simulations of heterogeneous Al/Ni granular composites were conducted.•Highly heterogeneous behavior under compression and shock loading was observed.•Plastic deformation, mechanical work, and particle/particle friction led to hotspots.•Al melting, thought to be a key step in the initiation of Al-Ni reactions, was not observed.•Post-shock fragmentation and unconstrained impact could initiate Al/Ni reactions.