Energetic analysis of deformation twins and twinning dislocations in magnesium

Abstract

Twin boundaries and twinning dislocations for (101̄2) and (101̄1) twins in Mg are investigated, using the generalized-embedded-atommethod interatomic potential. The twin boundary energy for the (101̄2) twin is found to be larger than that for the (101̄1) twin. On the other hand, both the dislocation energy and the Peierls barrier of the twinning dislocation are low for the (101̄2) twin. This implies that the (101̄2) twin is capable of having a winding morphology and can grow easily. © 2013 The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials.