Interactions of interstitials with twin boundaries in face-centred-cubic metals

Abstract

A computer simulation investigation of possible interactions between interstitials and {111} twin boundaries in face-centred-cubic crystals has been carried out. The work is based on a new empirical interatomic potential for nickel, and this is described. The results show that the closely related crowdion and 〈110〉 split interstitial configurations are favoured. There is a large binding energy between twin boundaries and both interstitials and di-interstitials. A mechanism for the nucleation of interstitial dislocation loops at twin boundaries, which have been observed in an austenitic alloy, is suggested.