Hardening by twin boundary during nanoindentation in nanocrystals.

The atomistic deformation processes of nanocrystals embedded with nanoscale twin boundaries during nanoindentation are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. Load-displacement curves are obtained and the hardening mechanisms associated with the nanoscale twin boundaries are revealed. Johnson's theoretical indentation model is adopted to estimate the elastic stage of the nanoindentation. In addition, twin boundary-mediated dislocation nucleation is observed and analyzed.