Tensile behavior of single-crystal nano-sized Cu beams – Geometric scaling effects

In this paper the mechanical response of single-crystal nano-sized Cu beams of different sizes, loaded in displacement controlled tension under constant strain rate is investigated through 3D molecular dynamic simulations using the free-ware LAMMPS. The effects from pure geometric scaling are determined for two different crystallographic orientations of the lattice. Stress–strain curves were recorded until rupture of the beams and the developments of the atomic arrangements were followed in detail. The elastic parts of the curves showed to be non-linear and that size effects to some extend influenced the elastic and significantly the plastic mechanical response. Further the crystallographic orientation markedly influenced the response to mechanical loading.