Roles of grain boundary and dislocations at different deformation stages of nanocrystalline copper under tension

Zheng, YG (Zheng, Y. G.); Zhang, HW (Zhang, H. W.); Chen, Z (Chen, Z.); Lu, C (Lu, C.); Mai, YW (Mai, Y. -W.)

PHYSICS LETTERS A, 373 (5): 570-574 JAN 26 2009

DOI: 10.1016/j.physleta.2008.12.019

The plastic deformation of nanocrystalline copper subjected to tension has been studied using molecular dynamics simulation. The results show that, in the initial stage, the deformation is mainly boundary-mediated in small grains; while in the late stage, the deformation is accommodated by dislocations in large grains. It is also found that the stress-assisted grain growth occurs owing to atomic diffusion and grain boundary migration. These results are consistent with recent experimental observations. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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