Plastic deformation by synchronized rotation of nanolayers under high stress in metals

A new plastic deformation mechanism by the synchronized rotation of nanolayers under high stress has been proposed based on the result of a stepwise deformation behavior observed in experimental results and molecular dynamics simulations in aluminum. In this deformation, the initial elastic strain exceeds 10% and then plastic deformation occurs by the synchronized rotation of nanolayers. Before the major rotation, the preliminary rotation appears in the local area and then spreads along the slip plane. The direct slip does not begin until the entire slip plane attains the state of preliminary rotation. It is considered that the initial large elastic strain supplies the space for the preliminary rotation. The preliminary rotation lowers the potential barrier for the major rotation. In the case of high-speed deformation, a large number of thin layers instantly rotate simultaneously. Therefore, a considerably large displacement can be realized in a moment.