Defect-Induced Crystal-to-Amorphous Transition in an Atomistic Simulation Model

Molecular-dynamics simulations of insertion of self-interstitials into a single fcc crystal reveal a crystal-to-amorphous transition which is dependent upon both insertion rate and defect-concentration accumulation. The resulting amorphous structure is found to be similar to that of a rapidly quenched liquid. In terms of elastic properties, amorphization brings about a further decrease in C₁₁ and C₄₄ relative to a defective crystal.