We explore whether the continuum scaling behavior of the fracture energy of metals extends down to the atomistic level. We use an embedded atom method (EAM) model of Ni, thus bypassing the need to model strain-gradient plasticity at the continuum level. The calculations are performed with a number of different 3D periodic size cells using standard molecular dynamics (MD) techniques. A void nucleus of a single vacancy is placed in each cell and the cell is then expanded through repeated NVT MD increments. For each displacement, we then determine which cell size has the lowest energy. The optimal cell size and energy bear a power-law relation to the opening displacement that is consistent with continuum estimates based on strain-gradient plasticity (Fokoua et al., 2014, “Optimal Scaling in Solids Undergoing Ductile Fracture by Void Sheet Formation,” Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. (in press); Fokoua et al., 2014, “Optimal Scaling Laws for Ductile Fracture Derived From Strain-Gradient Microplasticity,” J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 62, pp. 295–311). The persistence of power-law scaling of the fracture energy down to the atomistic level is remarkable.
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July 2015
Research-Article
Scaling Laws in the Ductile Fracture of Metallic Crystals
M. I. Baskes,
M. I. Baskes
Bagley College of Engineering,
Mississippi State University
,Mississippi, MS 39762
Jacobs School of Engineering,
University of California
, San Diego
,La Jolla, CA 92093
Los Alamos National Laboratory
,Los Alamos, NM 87545
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M. Ortiz
M. Ortiz
Division of Engineering and Applied Science,
California Institute of Technology
,Pasadena, CA 91125
Search for other works by this author on:
M. I. Baskes
Bagley College of Engineering,
Mississippi State University
,Mississippi, MS 39762
Jacobs School of Engineering,
University of California
, San Diego
,La Jolla, CA 92093
Los Alamos National Laboratory
,Los Alamos, NM 87545
M. Ortiz
Division of Engineering and Applied Science,
California Institute of Technology
,Pasadena, CA 91125
Contributed by the Applied Mechanics Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF APPLIED MECHANICS. Manuscript received January 1, 2015; final manuscript received March 29, 2015; published online June 3, 2015. Assoc. Editor: A. Amine Benzerga.
J. Appl. Mech. Jul 2015, 82(7): 071003 (5 pages)
Published Online: July 1, 2015
Article history
Received:
January 1, 2015
Revision Received:
March 29, 2015
Online:
June 3, 2015
Citation
Baskes, M. I., and Ortiz, M. (July 1, 2015). "Scaling Laws in the Ductile Fracture of Metallic Crystals." ASME. J. Appl. Mech. July 2015; 82(7): 071003. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4030329
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