Size-dependent strength and interface-dominated deformation mechanisms of Cu/Zr multilayer nanofilms

Abstract

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed in this study to investigate the mechanical properties of Cu/Zr multilayer nanofilms (MNFs) during tensile and compression tests. The results reveal slip behavior in the tensile test and the phase transformation process in the compression test, where the former only occurs in the Cu film during the tensile test and the latter only occurs in the Zr film during the compression test. In addition, the effects of temperature, growth orientation, and layer number are investigated. Keywords: Molecular dynamics simulations, Phase transformation, Cu/Zr multilayer nanofilms, Tensile test, Compression test