Interaction between wedge disclination dipoles and core–shell nanowires with interface effects

• We consider interface stresses at the nanoscale annular coated layer.
• The analytical expressions of the complex potentials of matrix are obtained.
• Interface stress is vital important on nanostructured composite materials.
• Coating properties are the dominant factor of equilibrium location and stability.
• Critical parameters to keep disclination dipole in equilibrium are studied.

In order to understand the influence of disclinations on mechanical properties of nanostructured composite materials, the interaction between a wedge disclination dipole and core–shell nanowires with interface effects is investigated. By using the complex variable method, the analytical solutions of complex potentials are derived for the interaction of a wedge disclination dipole and a core–shell nanowire considering interface effects. The stress fields, the elastic strain energy and the force acting on the wedge disclination dipole center are obtained. The influence of the feature of disclination dipole, the nanoscale coating thickness, the uniform eigenstrain and the material elastic dissimilarity on the equilibrium location and the stability of the dipole is studied when the size of the core–shell nanowire is reduced to nanometer scale. The results show that the impact of interface stresses on the equilibrium and the motion of the dipole near the core–shell nanowire is significant, namely, interface stresses have important effect on the strengthening and toughening of the nanostructured composite materials. The material properties of coating layer are dominant factors in the influence of the equilibrium location and the stability of disclination dipole for serious mismatch (i.e. very hard or very soft) and/or thick coating layer.