Molecular dynamics simulation of dislocation intersections in aluminum

Abstract

The molecular dynamics method is used to simulate dislocation intersection in aluminum containing 1.6×106 atoms using embedded atom method (EAM) potential. The results show that after intersection between two right-hand screw dislocations of opposite sign there are an extended jog corresponding to a row of 1/3 vacancies in the intersected dislocation, and a trail of vacancies behind the moving dislocation. After intersection between screw dislocations of same sign, there are an extended jog corresponding to a row of 1/3 interstitials in the intersected dislocation, and a trail of interstitials behind the moving dislocation. After intersection between screw and edge dislocations with different Burgers vector, there are a constriction corresponding to one 1/3 vacancy in the edge dislocation, and no point-defects behind the screw dislocation. When a moving screw dislocation intersects an edge dislocation with the same Burgers vector, the point of intersection will split into two constrictions corresponding to one 1/3 vacancy and 1/3 interstitial, respectively. The moving screw dislocation can pass the edge dislocation only after the two constrictions, which can move along the line of intersection of the two slip planes, meet and annihilate.