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Atomic-Level Processes of Shear Band Nucleation in Metallic Glasses
D Şopu1, A Stukowski2, M Stoica3
1Institute for Complex Materials, IFW Dresden, Helmholtzstraße 20, D-01069 Dresden, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|December 9, 2017
Summary
Controlling amorphous metal plastic deformation relies on shear transformation zones (STZs). This study reveals how one STZ’s structural perturbation autocatalytically activates neighboring STZs, leading to shear band formation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Solid Mechanics
Background:
- Plastic deformation in amorphous metals is critical for material properties.
- Controlling this deformation hinges on understanding shear transformation zone (STZ) percolation.
- The self-assembly mechanism of STZs remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of shear transformation zone (STZ) self-assembly in amorphous metals.
- To identify the structural perturbations caused by an STZ.
- To explain how these perturbations lead to STZ percolation and shear band formation.
Main Methods:
- Computational modeling of STZ behavior.
- Analysis of structural perturbations around an STZ.
- Simulation of STZ-STZ interactions and activation.
Main Results:
- Identified the specific structural perturbation generated by an STZ.
- Demonstrated that this perturbation triggers the activation of neighboring STZs.
- Revealed an autocatalytic mechanism involving strain and rotation fields.
Conclusions:
- The self-assembly of STZs is driven by the autocatalytic activation mechanism.
- This mechanism explains the percolation of STZs and the subsequent formation of shear bands.
- Understanding this process offers pathways to control plastic deformation in amorphous metals.
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