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Size-Dependent Mechanical Properties Of Crystalline Nanoparticles, Dan | Mordehai

Nanomechanical Testing in Materials Research and Development V

Defect-free crystalline nanostructures reach strengths which are close to their ultimate shear strength, since their deformation is controlled by dislocation nucleation from the surfaces. In this talk we examine how the size and shape of defect-free nanoparticles affect their mechanical properties. In the first part we discuss the indentation response. Earlier experiments on Au nanoparticles showed that they become easier to indent as they are smaller [1]. With large scale Molecular Dynamics Simulations, we show how the lateral dimensions give rise to size effect in indentation through the competition between dislocation storage and depletion on free surfaces. The latter mechanism …