Healing of Nanocracks by Disclinations

G. Q. Xu and M. J. Demkowicz
Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 145501 – Published 2 October 2013
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Abstract

We present a new mechanism—discovered using molecular dynamics simulations—that leads to complete healing of nanocracks. This mechanism relies on the generation of crystal defects known as disclinations by migrating grain boundaries. Crack healing by disclinations does not require any compressive loads applied normal to the crack faces and even occurs under monotonic tensile loading. By closing small cracks and suppressing the propagation of others, this mechanism may provide a novel way of mitigating internal damage that influences ductility in nanocrystalline metals.

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  • Received 24 May 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.145501

© 2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

G. Q. Xu* and M. J. Demkowicz

  • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA

  • *To whom all correspondence should be addressed. gqxu@mit.edu

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Vol. 111, Iss. 14 — 4 October 2013

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