Formation mechanism of fivefold deformation twins in nanocrystalline face-centered-cubic metals

Fivefold deformation twins have been recently observed in nanocrystalline face-centered-cubic (fcc) metals and alloys synthesized by severe plastic deformation techniques. However, numerous molecular dynamics simulations in the literature have not observed fivefold deformation twins in nanocrystalline fcc metals. The discrepancy between experimental observations and molecular dynamics simulations has raised an issue on their formation mechanism and conditions. Here we propose a sequential twinning mechanism that provides a clear path for the formation of fivefold deformation twins. The mechanism requires an orientation change of applied stresses, which explains why molecular dynamics simulations under a constant load orientation do not produce fivefold deformation twins. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.