Thermodynamics and kinetics of nanovoid nucleation inside elastoplastic material

Continuum thermodynamic and kinetic approaches to nanovoid nucleation as a fracture process inside elastoplastic material are developed. They include solutions to such conceptual problems as determination of the thermodynamic driving force and activation energy, and determination of the kinetic relationship between tensile fracture pressure and temperature. A kinetic pressure-temperature diagram for nanovoid nucleation is determined which, in addition to fracture, includes alternative mechanisms related to phase transformations. Fracture occurs below the kinetic melting temperature, sublimation takes place at high temperature and evaporation occurs in the intermediate range. Sublimation via virtual melting competes with fracture and evaporation. (C) 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.