The core structure, recombination energy and Peierls energy for dislocations in Al

Understanding dislocation mechanics at the mesoscale using phase field dislocation dynamics

In this paper, we discuss the formulation, recent developments and findings obtained from a mesoscale mechanics technique called phase field dislocation dynamics (PFDD). We begin by presenting recent advancements made in modelling face-centred cubic materials, such as integration with atomic-scale simulations to account for partial dislocations. We discuss calculations that help in understanding grain size effects on transitions from full to partial dislocation-mediated slip behaviour and deformation twinning. Finally, we present recent extensions of the PFDD framework to alternative crystal structures, such as body-centred cubic metals, and two-phase materials, including free surfaces, voids and bi-metallic crystals. With several examples we demonstrate that the PFDD model is a powerful and versatile method that can bridge the length and time scales between atomistic and continuum-scale methods, providing a much needed understanding of deformation mechanisms in the mesoscale regime.

Modeling Dislocation Dissociation and Cutting of γ′ Precipitates in Ni-Based Superalloys by the Phase Field Method

We incorporate γ-surface data of both γ and γ′ phases from ab initio calculations into the phase field model to study dislocation dissociation and interaction with γ′ particles in Ni-based superalloys. Through three examples we demonstrate the unique capabilities of the model in characterizing the core structure of a dissociated superdislocation in γ′ phase, the creation and annihilation of planar defects such as CSF and APB caused by dislocation cutting through the γ′ phase and the interplay between the cutting and looping mechanisms.