Dynamics of viscoplastic deformation in amorphous solids

M. L. Falk and J. S. Langer
Phys. Rev. E 57, 7192 – Published 1 June 1998
An article within the collection: PRE Milestones
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Abstract

We propose a dynamical theory of low-temperature shear deformation in amorphous solids. Our analysis is based on molecular-dynamics simulations of a two-dimensional, two-component noncrystalline system. These numerical simulations reveal behavior typical of metallic glasses and other viscoplastic materials, specifically, reversible elastic deformation at small applied stresses, irreversible plastic deformation at larger stresses, a stress threshold above which unbounded plastic flow occurs, and a strong dependence of the state of the system on the history of past deformations. Microscopic observations suggest that a dynamically complete description of the macroscopic state of this deforming body requires specifying, in addition to stress and strain, certain average features of a population of two-state shear transformation zones. Our introduction of these state variables into the constitutive equations for this system is an extension of earlier models of creep in metallic glasses. In the treatment presented here, we specialize to temperatures far below the glass transition and postulate that irreversible motions are governed by local entropic fluctuations in the volumes of the transformation zones. In most respects, our theory is in good quantitative agreement with the rich variety of phenomena seen in the simulations.

  • Received 11 December 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.57.7192

©1998 American Physical Society

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This article appears in the following collection:

PRE Milestones

Physical Review E published its 50,000th paper in September 2015. To celebrate this, the journal presents a series of milestone papers that were published since its inception in 1993. This is an eclectic collection of papers that made significant contributions to their field, chosen by the editors. A new milestone will be added each week.

Authors & Affiliations

M. L. Falk and J. S. Langer

  • Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106

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Issue

Vol. 57, Iss. 6 — June 1998

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