Atomistic study of the mechanical properties of metallic-glass nanowires

Abstract

ABSTRACTMelt-growth simulations based on the molecular-dynamics method for both the Cu-Zr and Ni-Al crystalline nanowires of B2 structure are performed to produce metallic-glass nanowires of amorphous structure. Next, tensile deformations of these nanowires are simulated at various temperatures. For the sake of comparison, Cu-Zr and Ni-Al crystalline nanowires of B2 structure are also elongated. It is revealed that the tensile strength of the metallic-glass nanowires is third or fourth of the tensile strength of the crystalline nanowires. Increasing tensile strain, the Cu-Zr crystalline nanowires of B2 structure change their structure twice, whereas the metallic-glass nanowires only decrease their thicknesses locally, and necking takes place.