Dislocation junction formation and strength in magnesium

Adaptative meshing finite-element-based discrete dislocation dynamics simulations are employed to predict dislocation junction formation in magnesium as well as their resulting strength. Apart from coplanar and collinear interactions, all possible interactions between basal, prismatic and pyramidal slip are considered. Among others it is found that while non-coplanar prismatic junctions are more likely than basal–prismatic junctions, the latter are more stable. However, pyramidal–prismatic junctions appear more stable than pyramidal–basal junctions. Finally, non-coplanar pyramidal junctions are more likely than any other junction formation, and these junctions also appear to be amongst the strongest.