Effect of shear-coupled grain boundary motion on coherent precipitation

We examine the interaction between precipitates and grain boundaries, which undergo shear-coupled motion. The elastic problem, emerging from grain boundary perturbations and an elastic mismatch strain induced by the precipitates, is analysed. The resulting free elastic energy contains interaction terms, which are derived numerically via the integration of the elastic energy density. The interaction of the shear-coupled grain boundary and the coherent precipitates leads to potential elastic energy reductions. Such a decrease of the elastic energy has implications on the grain boundary shape and also on the solubility limit near the grain boundary. By energy minimisation we are able to derive the grain boundary shape change analytically. We apply the results to the Fe-C system to predict the solubility limit change of cementite near an $\alpha$-iron grain boundary.Comment: 8 page

Fast crack propagation by surface diffusion

We present a continuum theory which describes the fast growth of a crack by surface diffusion. This mechanism overcomes the usual cusp singularity by a self-consistent selection of the crack tip radius. It predicts the saturation of the steady state crack velocity appreciably below the Rayleigh speed and tip blunting. Furthermore, it includes the possibility of a tip splitting instability for high applied tensions

Instabilities at Frictional Interfaces: Creep Patches, Nucleation and Rupture Fronts

The strength and stability of frictional interfaces, ranging from tribological systems to earthquake faults, are intimately related to the underlying spatially-extended dynamics. Here we provide a comprehensive theoretical account, both analytic and numeric, of spatiotemporal interfacial dynamics in a realistic rate-and-state friction model, featuring both velocity-weakening and strengthening behaviors. Slowly extending, loading-rate dependent, creep patches undergo a linear instability at a critical nucleation size, which is nearly independent of interfacial history, initial stress conditions and velocity-strengthening friction. Nonlinear propagating rupture fronts -- the outcome of instability -- depend sensitively on the stress state and velocity-strengthening friction. Rupture fronts span a wide range of propagation velocities and are related to steady state fronts solutions.Comment: Typos and figures corrected. Supplementary information at: http://www.weizmann.ac.il/chemphys/bouchbinder/frictional_instabilities.htm

On the velocity-strengthening behavior of dry friction

The onset of frictional instabilities, e.g. earthquakes nucleation, is intimately related to velocity-weakening friction, in which the frictional resistance of interfaces decreases with increasing slip velocity. While this frictional response has been studied extensively, less attention has been given to steady-state velocity-strengthening friction, in spite of its potential importance for various aspects of frictional phenomena such as the propagation speed of interfacial rupture fronts and the amount of stored energy released by them. In this note we suggest that a crossover from steady-state velocity-weakening friction at small slip velocities to steady-state velocity-strengthening friction at higher velocities might be a generic feature of dry friction. We further argue that while thermally activated rheology naturally gives rise to logarithmic steady-state velocity-strengthening friction, a crossover to stronger-than-logarithmic strengthening might take place at higher slip velocities, possibly accompanied by a change in the dominant dissipation mechanism. We sketch a few physical mechanisms that may account for the crossover to stronger-than-logarithmic steady-state velocity-strengthening and compile a rather extensive set of experimental data available in the literature, lending support to these ideas.Comment: Updated to published version: 2 Figures and a section adde

Velocity-strengthening friction significantly affects interfacial dynamics, strength and dissipation

Frictional interfaces are abundant in natural and manmade systems and their dynamics still pose challenges of fundamental and technological importance. A recent extensive compilation of multiple-source experimental data has revealed that velocity-strengthening friction, where the steady-state frictional resistance increases with sliding velocity over some range, is a generic feature of such interfaces. Moreover, velocity-strengthening friction has very recently been linked to slow laboratory earthquakes and stick-slip motion. Here we elucidate the importance of velocity-strengthening friction by theoretically studying three variants of a realistic rate-and-state friction model. All variants feature identical logarithmic velocity-weakening friction at small sliding velocities, but differ in their higher velocity behaviors. By quantifying energy partition (e.g. radiation and dissipation), the selection of interfacial rupture fronts and rupture arrest, we show that the presence or absence of velocity-strengthening friction can significantly affect the global interfacial resistance and the total energy released during frictional instabilities ("event magnitude"). Furthermore, we show that different forms of velocity-strengthening friction (e.g. logarithmic vs. linear) may result in events of similar magnitude, yet with dramatically different dissipation and radiation rates. This happens because the events are mediated by interfacial rupture fronts with vastly different propagation velocities, where stronger velocity-strengthening friction promotes slower rupture. These theoretical results may have significant implications on our understanding of frictional dynamics.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Modeling of grain boundary dynamics using amplitude equations

We discuss the modelling of grain boundary dynamics within an amplitude equations description, which is derived from classical density functional theory or the phase field crystal model. The relation between the conditions for periodicity of the system and coincidence site lattices at grain boundaries is investigated. Within the amplitude equations framework we recover predictions of the geometrical model by Cahn and Taylor for coupled grain boundary motion, and find both $\langle100\rangle$ and $\langle110\rangle$ coupling. No spontaneous transition between these modes occurs due to restrictions related to the rotational invariance of the amplitude equations. Grain rotation due to coupled motion is also in agreement with theoretical predictions. Whereas linear elasticity is correctly captured by the amplitude equations model, open questions remain for the case of nonlinear deformations.Comment: 21 pages. We extended the discussion on the geometrical nonlinearities in Section