Transformation pathways in the solid-solid phase transitions of iron nanowires

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we study the solid-solid phase transitions induced by strain in Fe nanowires. These show ail intricate dependence oil the crystallographic orientation of the wire < 001 > oriented nanowires exhibit a bcc -> 4cc transition and preferably follow the Nishiyama-Wassermann path. In < 011 > and < 111 > oriented nanowires the transformation is bcc -> hcp and proceeds according to the Burgers path. Additionally we show that it is possible to obtain multiple phase transitions accompanied with reorientations. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics [doi:10.1063/1.3258002]