Fabrication and plastic deformation of copper at small scales

Zhao, Xinxin (2014). Fabrication and plastic deformation of copper at small scales. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

In the current study, copper nanowires are fabricated by filling the nanochannels of anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) templates using electrodeposition. The nanowires with different growth orientations as well as twin boundaries in some cases are obtained. Cu micropillars are machined from bulk materials using focused ion beam (FIB) milling. The micropillars oriented in the [235] and [156] directions, with and without a twin boundary, with a cylindrical or square shape and with different sizes are prepared. These pillars are then compressed by a nanoindenter equipped with a flat tip, and the stress-strain curves are obtained. The morphologies of the pillars are observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thin foils of the pillars are prepared by FIB and examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning TEM (STEM). Finally, the dislocation structures are analysed to shed light on the investigation of the deformation mechanisms.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):