Plastic flow of nanoglass nanowires: Influence of intrinsic heterogeneities and aspect ratio

We present molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the tensile deformation behavior of nanoglass (NG) nanowires in comparison to homogeneous metallic glass nanowires. NG nanowires exhibit 2 % more ductility can be obtained for nanoglass nanowires compared to homogeneous nanowires due to the presence of soft internal interfaces. In addition, there is a critical aspect ratio that marks the transition from delayed to immediate neck fracture. The plastic strain before failure is correlated with the rate of necking and the corresponding aspect ratio. For small aspect ratios a delayed occurrence of neck instability and correspondingly extended plastic strain is observed, while nanoglass nanowires with high aspect ratios ( ) exhibit accelerated necking and brittle-like deformation. Von Mises stress and internal energy calculations show that the local structure, internal stress states, and residual stresses are responsible for the improved mechanical properties in nanoglasses. • Nanoglass nanowires show up to 2 • Local structure and internal stresses enhance the mechanical properties of nanoglasses. • At a 2:1 aspect ratio, homogeneous plastic flow occurs in nanoglass nanowires. • Nanoglass nanowires with 16:1 aspect ratio show brittle-like fracture via necking.