# Geometry-controlled Failure Mechanisms of Amorphous Solids on the Nanoscale

## TL;DR

This study uncovers a novel nanoscale failure mechanism in amorphous solids, showing how geometry and strain rate influence cavity formation and failure modes under mechanical stress.

## Contribution

It introduces a new understanding of cavity formation in confined amorphous solids, highlighting the role of aspect ratio and curvature in failure processes.

## Key findings

- Cavitation occurs at a critical aspect ratio and curvature.
- Sample breaks by necking below the critical aspect ratio.
- Failure mechanism is influenced by geometry, strain rate, and temperature.

## Abstract

Amorphous solids, confined on the nano-scale, exhibit a wealth of novel phenomena yet to be explored. In particular, the response of such solids to a mechanical load is not well understood and, as has been demonstrated experimentally, it differs strongly from bulk samples made of the same materials. Failure patterns and mechanisms are strongly affected by the geometry of the confinement and the interplay between interfacial effects in the sample and the time scale, imposed by an external mechanical field. Here, we present the mechanism of cavity formation in a confined model glass, subjected to expansion with a constant strain rate. This system is studied for varying geometric aspect ratio and sample size. Our results show that for a given temperature and straining condition, the sample shows cavitation when the aspect ratio reaches a critical value and below this aspect ratio the sample breaks by forming a neck. The critical aspect ratio is associated with a critical curvature of the neck that depends on strain rate and temperature. If this critical curvature is exceeded, the free energy of the system is minimized by the formation of a cavity. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of cavity formation on the nanoscale. This is probably a generic mechanism for material's failure in small confined systems under mechanical load.