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Atomistic mechanisms governing elastic limit and incipient plasticity in crystals

Author

Listed:
  • Ju Li

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Krystyn J. Van Vliet

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Ting Zhu

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Sidney Yip

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Subra Suresh

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Nanometre-scale contact experiments1,2,3,4,5,6 and simulations7,8,9,10 demonstrate the potential to probe incipient plasticity—the onset of permanent deformation—in crystals. Such studies also point to the need for an understanding of the mechanisms governing defect nucleation in a broad range of fields and applications. Here we present a fundamental framework for describing incipient plasticity that combines results of atomistic and finite-element modelling, theoretical concepts of structural stability at finite strain, and experimental analysis. We quantify two key features of the nucleation and subsequent evolution of defects. A position-sensitive criterion based on elastic stability determines the location and character of homogeneously nucleated defects. We validate this stability criterion at both the atomistic and the continuum levels. We then propose a detailed interpretation of the experimentally observed sequence of displacement bursts to elucidate the role of secondary defect sources operating locally at stress levels considerably smaller than the ideal strength required for homogeneous nucleation. These findings provide a self-consistent explanation of the discontinuous elastic–plastic response in nanoindentation measurements, and a guide to fundamental studies across many disciplines that seek to quantify and predict the initiation and early stages of plasticity.

Suggested Citation

  • Ju Li & Krystyn J. Van Vliet & Ting Zhu & Sidney Yip & Subra Suresh, 2002. "Atomistic mechanisms governing elastic limit and incipient plasticity in crystals," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6895), pages 307-310, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:418:y:2002:i:6895:d:10.1038_nature00865
    DOI: 10.1038/nature00865
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    Cited by:

    1. Yan Lu & Yongchao Chen & Yongpan Zeng & Yin Zhang & Deli Kong & Xueqiao Li & Ting Zhu & Xiaoyan Li & Shengcheng Mao & Ze Zhang & Lihua Wang & Xiaodong Han, 2023. "Nanoscale ductile fracture and associated atomistic mechanisms in a body-centered cubic refractory metal," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Yeqiang Bu & Yuan Wu & Zhifeng Lei & Xiaoyuan Yuan & Leqing Liu & Peng Wang & Xiongjun Liu & Honghui Wu & Jiabin Liu & Hongtao Wang & R. O. Ritchie & Zhaoping Lu & Wei Yang, 2024. "Elastic strain-induced amorphization in high-entropy alloys," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.

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