Atomistic Simulation of Deformation Behavior at a Crack Tip in Magnesium Single Crystal

The mechanisms of low-temperature deformation around a crack tip in a hexagonally closed-packed (hcp) magnesium single crystal have been studied by molecular dynamics simulations. In our simulation a {1010} < 12 10 > model I (opening model) crack is selected. The results indicate that slip on the basal plane is activated due to the shear stress at the crack tip. Thus shear banding caused by a successive slip of the basal planes is the main deformation way for this type of crack.