The onset of void coalescence during dynamic fracture of ductile metals

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the process of void coalescence in ductile metals, identifying key indicators and critical distances that lead to fracture.

Contribution

It provides a detailed quantification of the void coalescence process and identifies the critical ligament distance for onset of coalescence in copper.

Findings

Critical ligament distance is approximately one void radius.

Void growth and interactions accelerate as voids approach.

Onset of coalescence is characterized by specific inter-void distance.

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations in three-dimensional copper have been performed to quantify the void coalescence process leading to fracture. The correlated growth of the voids during their linking is investigated both in terms of the onset of coalescence and the ensuing dynamical interactions through the rate of reduction of the distance between the voids and the directional growth of the voids. The critical inter-void ligament distance marking the onset of coalescence is shown to be approximately one void radius in both measures.