Self-healing of cracks during ductile regime machining of silicon: Insights from molecular dynamics simulation

Saurav Goel, Alexander Stukowski, Andrii Kovalchenko, Graham Cross

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

During nanoindentation and ductile-regime machining of silicon, a phenomenon known as "self-healing" takes place in that the microcracks, microfractures, and small spallings generated during the machining are filled by the plastically flowing ductile phase of silicon. However, this phenomenon has not been observed in simulation studies. In this work, using a long-range potential function, molecular dynamics simulation was used to provide an improved explanation of this mechanism. A unique phenomenon of brittle cracking was discovered, typically inclined at an angle of 45° to 55° to the cut surface, leading to the formation of periodic arrays of nanogrooves being filled by plastically flowing silicon during cutting. This observation is supported by the direct imaging. The simulated X-ray diffraction analysis proves that in contrast to experiments, Si-I to Si-II (beta tin) transformation during ductile-regime cutting is highly unlikely and solid-state amorphisation of silicon caused solely by the machining stress rather than the cutting temperature is the key to its brittle-ductile transition observed during the MD simulations.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 16th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2016
EditorsP. Bointon, Richard Leach, N. Southon
Publishereuspen
ISBN (Electronic)9780956679086
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes
Event16th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2016 - Nottingham, United Kingdom
Duration: 30 May 20163 Jun 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 16th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2016

Conference

Conference16th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityNottingham
Period30/05/163/06/16

Keywords

  • Diamond machining
  • Ductile-regime cutting
  • High pressure phase transformation
  • MD simulation
  • Silicon

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Instrumentation

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