Double reorientation in 〈1 1 0〉 Cu nanowires

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations performed on tensile deformation of 〈1 1 0〉 Cu nanowire indicated that the nanowire undergoes double reorientation from 〈1 1 0〉 to 〈1 0 0〉 tensile axis followed by 〈1 0 0〉 to 〈1 1 2〉 tensile axis. It has been observed that the double reorientation results from the occurrence of twinning mode of deformation in both the original 〈1 1 0〉 and reoriented 〈1 0 0〉 Cu nanowires. The double reorientation in 〈1 1 0〉 Cu nanowire leads to tensile ductility as high as 260% thereby displaying superplastic like behaviour. The occurrence of double reorientation and the associated high tensile ductility have been restricted to low nanowire length below or equal to 7.15 nm with aspect ratio ≤1. Above this length (higher aspect ratio), the reorientation process has not been observed and the nanowire fails at significantly lower strains due to activation of multiple twin systems facilitating twin–twin interactions.