Transition of dislocation nucleation induced by local stress concentration in nanotwinned copper

Metals with a high density of nanometre-scale twins have demonstrated simultaneous high strength and good ductility, attributed to the interaction between lattice dislocations and twin boundaries. Maximum strength was observed at a critical twin lamella spacing (∼15 nm) by mechanical testing; hence, an explanation of how twin lamella spacing influences dislocation behaviours is desired. Here, we report a transition of dislocation nucleation from steps on the twin boundaries to twin boundary/grain boundary junctions at a critical twin lamella spacing (12–37 nm), observed with in situ transmission electron microscopy. The local stress concentrations vary significantly with twin lamella spacing, thus resulting in a critical twin lamella spacing (∼18 nm) for the transition of dislocation nucleation. This agrees quantitatively with the mechanical test. These results demonstrate that by quantitatively analysing local stress concentrations, a direct relationship can be resolved between the microscopic dislocation activities and macroscopic mechanical properties of nanotwinned metals.