The size-dependent elastic properties of nanofilms with surface effects

Size-dependent elastic constants are investigated theoretically with reference to a nanoscale single-crystal thin film. A three-dimensional (3D) model is presented with the relaxation on the surface of the nanofilm taken into consideration. The constitutive relation of the 3D model is derived by using the energy approach, and analytical expressions for the four nonzero elastic constants of the nanofilm are obtained. The size effects of the four elastic constants are then discussed, and the dependence of these elastic constants on the surface relaxation and the ambiguity in the definition of the thickness of the nanofilm are also analyzed. In addition, the elastic moduli of the nanofilm in two kinds of plane problem are obtained and discussed in the case of a special boundary condition. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.