Published January 10, 2005 | Version v1
Journal article

Atomistic processes during nanoindentation of amorphous silicon carbide

  • 1. Collaboratory for Advanced Computing and Simulations, Department of Materials Science, Department of Physics, and Department of Computer Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0242 (United States)
  • 2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1595 (United States)

Description

Atomistic mechanisms of nanoindentation of a-SiC have been studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The load displacement curve exhibits a series of load drops, reflecting the short-range topological order similar to crystalline 3C-SiC. In contrast to 3C-SiC, the load drops are irregularly spaced and less pronounced. The damage is spatially more extended than in 3C-SiC, and it exhibits long-range oscillations consistent with the indenter size. Hardness is ∼60% lower than in 3C-SiC and is in agreement with experiment. The onset of plastic deformation occurs at depth ∼75% lower than in 3C-SiC

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Applied Physics Letters
Journal Volume
86
Journal Issue
2
Journal Page Range
p. 021915-021915.3
ISSN
0003-6951
CODEN
APPLAB

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
36080264
Subject category
S36: MATERIALS SCIENCE;
Descriptors DEI
AMORPHOUS STATE; DEFORMATION; HARDNESS; MOLECULAR DYNAMICS METHOD; OSCILLATIONS; SILICON CARBIDES; SIMULATION; TOPOLOGY
Descriptors DEC
CALCULATION METHODS; CARBIDES; CARBON COMPOUNDS; MATHEMATICS; MECHANICAL PROPERTIES; SILICON COMPOUNDS

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2005 American Institute of Physics