Shear localization in a model glass

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to demonstrate shear localization in a simple glass model, revealing shear-band formation, differential dynamics, and stick-slip behavior, thus providing insights into complex rheological phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a simulation-based approach to study shear localization in glasses, connecting microscopic dynamics with macroscopic flow behavior.

Findings

Shear bands form at low shear rates with distinct dynamics.

Stick-slip motion occurs at very small shear rates.

Simulation results align with experimental observations on soft glasses.

Abstract

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show that a simple model of a glassy material exhibits the shear localization phenomenon observed in many complex fluids. At low shear rates, the system separates into a fluidized shear-band and an unsheared part. The two bands are characterized by a very different dynamics probed by a local intermediate scattering function. Furthermore, a stick-slip motion is observed at very small shear rates. Our results, which open the possibility of exploring complex rheological behavior using simulations, are compared to recent experiments on various soft glasses.