Molecular-dynamics study of ductile and brittle fracture in model noncrystalline solids
- Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106 (United States)
Molecular-dynamics simulations of fracture in systems akin to metallic glasses are observed to undergo embrittlement due to a small change in interatomic potential. This change in fracture toughness, however, is not accompanied by a corresponding change in flow stress. Theories of brittle fracture proposed by Freund and Hutchinson indicate that strain rate sensitivity is the controlling physical parameter in these cases. A recent theory of viscoplasticity in this class of solids by Falk and Langer further suggests that the change in strain rate sensitivity corresponds to a change in the susceptibility of local shear transformation zones to applied shear stresses. A simple model of these zones is developed in order to quantify the dependence of this sensitivity on the interparticle potential. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
- OSTI ID:
- 686447
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 60; ISSN 0163-1829; ISSN PRBMDO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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