Molecular dynamics simulation of Ga penetration along grain boundaries in Al: a dislocation climb mechanism.
Many systems where a liquid metal is in contact with a polycrystalline solid exhibit deep liquid grooves where the grain boundary meets the solid-liquid interface. For example, liquid Ga quickly penetrates deep into grain boundaries in Al, leading to intergranular fracture under very small stresses. We report on a series of molecular dynamics simulations of liquid Ga in contact with an Al bicrystal. We identify the mechanism for liquid metal embrittlement, develop a new model for it, and show that is in excellent agreement with both simulation and experimental data.
Nam
Ho-Seok
HS
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA. hnam@princeton.edu
Srolovitz
David J
DJ