Spall Fracture of Solid and Molten Copper: Molecular Dynamics, Mechanical Model and Strain Rate Dependence

Abstract

In this study, we formulate a mechanical model of spall fracture of copper, which describes both solid and molten states. The model is verified, and its parameters are found based on the data of molecular dynamics simulations of this process under ultrahigh strain rate of tension, leading to the formation of multiple pores within the considered volume element. A machine-learning-type Bayesian algorithm is used to identify the optimal parameters of the model. We also analyze the influence of the initial size distribution of pores or non-wettable inclusions in copper on the strain rate dependence of its spall strength and show that these initial heterogeneities explain the existing experimental data for moderate strain rates. This investigation promotes the development of atomistically-based machine learning approaches to description of the strength properties of metals and deepens the understanding of the spall fracture process.

Keywords

• dynamic tension
• spall strength
• strain rate dependence
• pores and inclusions
• solid and molten copper
• molecular dynamics