A nanoscale study of nucleation and propagation of Zener types cracks at dislocations: Phase field crystal model

•New method for calculating strain field is proposed by combining Peak-Pair algorithm and Phase Field Crystal model.•The detailed process of the Zener crack from nucleation to initiation to propagation is analyzed on nanoscale.•The behavioral characteristics of Zener crack during propagation are revealed.•The interaction of Zener crack with dislocation and dislocation dipole is studied.