Abstract
Using molecular dynamics we find that the tensile strength of the contacts between two clean platinum surfaces with nanoscale asperities is strongly size dependent with a maximum strength for contact lengths of approximately 5 nm. This is the first time a strongest size is observed in single crystals. The strengthening with decreasing size down to 5 nm results from a decrease in the initial density of mobile dislocations available for plastic deformation and the subsequent weakening originates from a reduction in the constraint to mechanical deformation inside the contact by the bulk.
Keywords
nanocrystalline metals, crystal plasticity, deformation, strength, copper
Date of this Version
5-28-2010
Comments
© 2010 The American Physical Society. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.215504