The role of disclinations in two phase changes induced by temperature and pressure in crystalline solids: Melting and the brittle-ductile transition Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • It has long been known that the melting temperature Tm of close-packed metals correlates well with the monovacancy formation energy. However, with the possible exception of the face-centered-cubic metals, there is a prior phase transition from a mechanically brittle solid phase to a ductile phase. Here the likely role of disclinations in the brittle-ductile phase change is stressed. The present picture may help to understand the brittle-ductile transition not only in crystalline materials but also in amorphous phases. The structure of such phases can probably be characterized in terms of a disordered disclination network. As examples of elemental crystalline solids, Si and graphite are finally discussed, with the melting under pressure of graphite being quantified. 2004 Taylor and Francis Ltd.

published proceedings

  • PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF LIQUIDS

author list (cited authors)

  • Klein, D. J., & March, N. H.

citation count

  • 3

complete list of authors

  • Klein, DJ||March, NH

publication date

  • October 2004