Stability, reversibility, and recovery of radiation-induced phase transformations in nanowires under mechanical loads

Phase transformations in nanowires can be induced via an external stimulus including mechanical loads or radiation damage. Notably, FCC nanowires exposed to an irradiation environment can undergo a size-dependent FCC-to-HCP phase transformation caused by the formation and accumulation of radiation-induced stacking faults and twinning defects. In this study, using atomistic simulations, we examine whether or not such radiation-induced phase transformation is stable and/or reversible under mechanical loads. Our results show that this type of phase transformation is stable under tension, reversible via compressive strain, and possibly subsequently recovered under tensile strain. The prerequisite conditions for the stability, reversibility, and recovery of this phase transformation are intimately related to the yielding mechanism at play and the reminiscence of residual stacking faults and twinning upon compressive loading.