An approach to the plasticity of hcp metallic crystals in terms of their structure dynamics

Abstract

From the phonon dispersion relations of a crystal, via the interatomic or interplanar force constants, interesting information can be extracted on the mechanical behavior of the crystal itself and, in particular, on the slip systems of Mg and other hep metals.

It is found that, according to calculations of the Peierls stresses and Peierls energies based on lattice dynamics, not only for Zr, but also for Mg, prismatic slip should prove to be almost as favorable as the basal slip. This circumstance might help to explain the sudden onset, at 220°C, of pyramidal slip in Mg, observed in 1959 by H. Asada and H. Yoshinaga.