Dislocation–twin interactions in nanocrystalline fcc metals

Dislocation interaction with and accumulation at twin boundaries have been reported to significantly improve the strength and ductility of nanostructured face-centered cubic (fcc) metals and alloys. Here we systematically describe plausible dislocation interactions at twin boundaries. Depending on the characteristics of the dislocations and the driving stress, possible dislocation reactions at twin boundaries include cross-slip into the twinning plane to cause twin growth or de-twinning, formation of a sessile stair-rod dislocation at the twin boundary, and transmission across the twin boundary. The energy barriers for these dislocation reactions are described and compared.