Journal article
Computer simulations of the mechanical properties of metals
Atomic-scale computer simulations can be used to gain a better understanding of the mechanical properties of materials. In this paper we demonstrate how this can be done in the case of nanocrystalline copper, and give a brief overview of how simulations may be extended to larger length scales. Nanocrystline metals are metals with grain sizes in the nanometre range, they have a number of technologically interesting properties such as much increased hardness and yield strength.
Our simulations show that the deformation mechanisms are different in these materials than in coarse-grained materials. The main deformation is occurring in the grain boundaries, and only little dislocation activity is seen inside the grains. This leads to a hardening of the material as the grain size is increased, and the volume fraction of grain boundaries is decreased.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | Science Reviews |
Year: | 1999 |
Pages: | 313-325 |
ISSN: | 20477163 and 00368504 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1177/003685049908200403 |
ORCIDs: | Schiøtz, Jakob and Vegge, Tejs |