Molecular dynamics simulation of mechanical behavior of nanoporous copper foams

Abstract

Metallic foams have a variety of unique mechanical properties that make them prime candidates for many different applications. Recent developments in manufacturing have allowed for the creation of nanoporous foams but still relatively little is known about foam behavior on the nano-scale. To determine if macro-scale metallic foam theory scaled appropriately to nanoporous foams, the mechanical behavior of nanoporous copper was simulated. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed at room temperature using the Mishin potential on tetrakaidecahedron foam structures. In closed-celled foams close agreement is observed between simulated Young's moduli and constitutive theory. Nanoporous closed-celled foams also show mechanical failure mechanisms similar to those seen on the macro-scale.