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Tension-compression asymmetry in amorphous silicon.

Yuecun Wang¹, Jun Ding², Zhao Fan³

¹Center for Advancing Materials Performance from the Nanoscale and Hysitron Applied Research Center in China, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.

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|June 1, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers found that submicrometre amorphous silicon exhibits reversed tension-compression asymmetry, with tensile strength exceeding compressive strength. This unusual behavior in materials challenges conventional understanding of brittle material mechanics.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Solid Mechanics
Nanotechnology

Background:

Brittle materials typically show lower tensile than compressive strength due to flaw sensitivity.
This common behavior is often attributed to external factors rather than intrinsic material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the intrinsic tension-compression asymmetry in submicrometre amorphous silicon.
To explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for reversed asymmetry where tensile strength exceeds compressive strength.

Main Methods:

Mechanical testing of submicrometre-sized amorphous silicon samples.
In situ electrical conductivity measurements during deformation.
Analysis of structural changes and atomic coordination under stress.

Main Results:

Demonstrated a reversed and pronounced tension-compression asymmetry in amorphous silicon, with tensile strength significantly higher than compressive strength.
Observed reduction in shear modulus and densification under compression, altering the energy barrier for shear events.
Confirmed compressive strain-induced metallization through structural transformation from sp3-bonded to metallic-like sites.

Conclusions:

The study reveals an intrinsic mechanism for reversed tension-compression asymmetry in amorphous materials.
Findings challenge the conventional understanding of brittle material behavior and open new avenues in materials design.
The observed metallization under compression highlights unique mechanical and electronic coupling in amorphous silicon.