On the interaction of a solute atmosphere with a circular void in two-dimensional elasticity: A statistical mechanics approach

Abstract

Solid solutions are of critical importance to many technological applications. While continuum frameworks have been developed and invoked in the past for studying behavior of solid solutions, recent studies point to the importance of image stresses in finite systems, and in particular, suggest that the homogenized self-stress field of the solutes, which enter the chemical potential in the prevalent continuum models, should be excluded in a correct treatment. The present work is concerned with the study of a solute atmosphere in the vicinity of a void in two-dimensional elasticity wherein the solute atmosphere is treated as a distribution of solute rods extended indefinitely normal to the plane of analysis. A statistical mechanics framework is adopted based on the Gibbs canonical ensemble, and the well-established path-independent integrals of solid mechanics are used for examining configurational forces on the void induced by the presence of a solute atmosphere. Numerical Monte Carlo simulations fully accounting for the interaction energy between the solute rods are used for calculation of the ensemble averages of the energy release rates associated with void translation and expansion, and semi-analytical solutions are further developed in the limit of dilute solute concentrations and large temperatures. Effect of interaction between the stress fields of a solute atmosphere and an external loading on the configurational forces is also investigated through both numerical and analytical calculations. It is shown that the interaction between the image stress field of a given concentration of solute rods and the stress field of an equi-biaxial loading results in an added contribution to the energy release rate of void expansion which does not fade away even when the solid dimensions grow indefinitely. Numerical simulations are further used to examine the effect of loading-induced solute redistribution on the energetic driving force for void expansion. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd