Transformation from slip to plastic flow deformation mechanism during tensile deformation of zirconium nanocontacts

Abstract

Various types of nanometer-sized structures have been applied to advanced functional and structural devices. Inherent structures, thermal stability, and properties of such nanostructures are emphasized when their size is decreased to several nanometers, especially, to several atoms. In this study, we observed the atomistic tensile deformation process of zirconium nanocontacts, which are typical nanostructures used in connection of nanometer-sized wires, transistors, and diodes, memory devices, and sensors, by in situ transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the contact was deformed via a plastic flow mechanism, which differs from the slip on lattice planes frequently observed in metals, and that the crystallinity became disordered. The various irregular relaxed structures formed during the deformation process affected the conductance.

Effects of crystal orientation and diameter on the mechanical properties of single-crystal MgAl2O4 spinel nanowires

“…(For full deformation of a [110] spinel nanowire with D=4 nm, see Animation V in the supplemental material available in the web version of this article.) There is a slipping stagnation of tensile deformation of [110] spinel nanowires due to the confined nanosize [39] and the 'softening' effect of elasticity (see section 3.3). It is noteworthy that the stressstrain curves in figures 3(a)-(c) correlate well with corresponding atomistic details in figures 2 and 4.…”

Diffusion-induced mechanical controllable wiring of magnesium nanowires

“…We used the transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with dual sample stages for picometer-precise dual-nanotip manipulation for DMCW at the University of Tsukuba. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Two Mg nanotips of 5-20 nm thickness were prepared by mechanical polishing and subsequent argon-ion milling. These nanotips were mounted on two TEM sample holders and were then inserted into the TEM; thereby, the nanotips were brought into contact to produce a NC.…”