Atomistic mechanisms of amorphization during nanoindentation of SiC: A molecular dynamics study

Izabela Szlufarska, Rajiv K. Kalia, Aiichiro Nakano, and Priya Vashishta
Phys. Rev. B 71, 174113 – Published 26 May 2005

Abstract

Atomistic mechanisms underlying the nanoindentation-induced amorphization in SiC crystal has been studied by molecular dynamics simulations on parallel computers. The calculated load-displacement curve consists of a series of load drops, corresponding to plastic deformation, in addition to a shoulder at a smaller displacement, which is fully reversible upon unloading. The peaks in the load-displacement curve are shown to reflect the crystalline structure and dislocation activities under the surface. The evolution of indentation damage and defect accumulation are also discussed in terms of bond angles, local pressure, local shear stress, and spatial rearrangements of atoms. These structural analyses reveal that the defect-stimulated growth and coalescence of dislocation loops are responsible for the crystalline-to-amorphous transition. The shortest-path-ring analysis is effectively employed to characterize nanoindentation-induced structural transformations and dislocation activities.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
4 More
  • Received 27 May 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.71.174113

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Izabela Szlufarska1, Rajiv K. Kalia2, Aiichiro Nakano2, and Priya Vashishta2

  • 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1595, USA
  • 2Collaboratory for Advanced Computing and Simulations, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Department of Computer Science, Department of Physics & Astronomy, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0242, USA

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 71, Iss. 17 — 1 May 2005

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×