Size Dependence of Dislocation-Mediated Plasticity in Ni Single Crystals: Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Figure 6

Snapshots for microstructure evolution in 20 nm ⟨001⟩-oriented nanopillar. (a) Poly-slip behavior concurs with yielding. (b)-(d) Nanoscale twins are formed and then broaden by the successive emission of Shockley partial dislocations. (e)-(f) Two parallel twin boundaries annihilate as a result of a new nanoscale twin. The symbol “○” marks the surface step. Slip lines and surface steps are clearly observed in the deformed states.

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