Evolving structure–property relationships in metals with nonequilibrium concentrations of vacancies

Abstract

Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations as a tool to investigate vacancy clustering in pure aluminum single crystals. A 1% superconcentration of single vacancies are randomly introduced into an otherwise perfect lattice, and the system is allowed to evolve for 500 ns at an elevated temperature of 728 K. Under these conditions, the individual vacancies rapidly agglomerate into larger clusters to reduce their overall energy. The systems are then subject to mechanical deformation to failure. The results of a total of 35 molecular dynamics simulations are reported. The mechanical behavior of these systems is found to be highly sensitive to the vacancy cluster microstructure, with the largest cluster size being most closely correlated with the cavitation strength. Since the largest cluster size evolves, an interesting time–structure–property coupling governs the behavior of these supersaturated metals. Despite the idealizations of the microstructure and loading conditions, we find a remarkably favorable agreement with laser-driven spall experiments.