Molecular dynamics simulation of nanoindentation of Fe₃C and Fe₄C

Study of nanomechanical response of iron carbides is important because presence of iron carbides greatly influences the performance and longevity of steel components. This work contributes to the literature by exploring nanoindentation of Fe₃C and tetrahedral-Fe₄C using molecular dynamics simulation. The chemical interactions of iron and carbon were described through an analytical bond order inter-atomic potential (ABOP) energy function. The indentations were performed at an indentation speed of 50m/s and a repeat trial was performed at 5m/s. Load-displacement (P-h) curve for both these carbides showed residual indentation depth and maximum indentation depth (h_f/h_max) ratio to be higher than 0.7 i.e. a circumstance where Oliver and Pharr method was not appropriate to be applied to evaluate the material properties. Alternate evaluation revealed Fe₃C to be much harder than Fe₄C. Gibbs free energy of formation and radial distribution function, coupled with state of the average local temperature and von Mises stresses indicate the formation of a new phase of iron-carbide. Formation of this newer phase was found to be due to deviatoric strain rather than the high temperature induced in the substrate during nanoindentation.