<i>Ab initio</i>determination of the traction–separation curve for a metal grain boundary: a critical assessment of strategies

Abstract

We have performed a uniaxial tensile test on the Σ5 [1 0 0] 36.87° twist grain boundary (GB) in face-centred cubic Al within the framework of density functional theory in order to derive an atomistic cohesive traction–separation law. Addressing the importance of kinetics to GB breakage, we accompanied our energy-separation curve calculations by two additional studies. Firstly, using the nudged elastic band method, we determined for a series of GB separations the heights of the zero temperature barriers separating intact and broken GB configurations. Secondly, a representative subset of these transition paths was examined at finite temperature with ab initio molecular dynamics. Contrasting prevalent conclusions on GB breakage behaviour, our results suggest that the GB likely stays intact at room temperature well into the range of separations where a broken GB represents the thermodynamically favourable configuration. Given the non-negligible resulting influence on critical tensile stress and work of separation, our findings may be viewed as stressing the need for a kinetic analysis in a general first principles based uniaxial tensile test.