Shock-induced plasticity in semi-coherent {111} Cu-Ni multilayers

Using atomistic simulations, dislocation dynamics modeling, and continuum elastic-plastic stress wave theory, we present a systematic investigation on shock-induced plasticity in semi-coherent Cu-Ni multilayers. The features of stress wave evolutions in the multilayers, including wave-front stress attenuation and strong interfacial discontinuities, are revealed by atomistic simulations. Continuum models are proposed to explain the shock wave propagation features. The simulations provide insight into microplasticity behaviors including interactions between lattice and misfit dislocations. The formation of hybrid Lomer-Cottrell locks through the attraction and combination of lattice and misfit dislocations is found to be a major mechanism for trapping gliding lattice dislocations at interfaces. The relationship between dislocation activity and dynamic stress wave evolution history is explored. The hybrid Lomer-Cottrell locks can dissociate under shock compression or reverse yielding. This dissociation facilitates slip transmission. The influence of coherent stress causes direction dependency in the slip transmission: a lattice dislocation can transmit more smoothly across an interface from Ni to Cu than from Cu to Ni. The interaction forces between lattice and misfit dislocations are calculated using dislocation dynamics code. Lattice dislocation nucleation from semi-coherent interfaces under shock compression is also reported.