title: Atomistic deformation mechanisms in twinned copper nanospheres.
abstract: In the present study, we perform molecular dynamic simulations to investigate the compression response and atomistic deformation mechanisms of twinned nanospheres. The relationship between load and compression depth is calculated for various twin spacing and loading directions. Then, the overall elastic properties and the underlying plastic deformation mechanisms are illuminated. Twin boundaries (TBs) act as obstacles to dislocation motion and lead to strengthening. As the loading direction varies, the plastic deformation transfers from dislocations intersecting with TBs, slipping parallel to TBs, and then to being restrained by TBs. The strengthening of TBs depends strongly on the twin spacing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Mechanics, SVL, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bian
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Ave, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Xinrui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2V4, Canada.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Mechanics, SVL, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
authors.forename: Gangfeng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: Nanosphere; Strengthening; Twin boundary