A complex stress-induced dislocation core reconstruction of an edge dislocation on the first pyramidal plane in magnesium and its abnormal dislocation mobility

The effect of the complex stress on the mobility of an edge dislocation on the first pyramidal plane in magnesium is investigated through molecular dynamic simulation (MDs). A novel dislocation with greatly improved mobility is obtained by applying the combined compressive normal stress and shear. The Peierls stress of the new dislocation is reduced to less than a tenth of the original and the mobility factor increases almost twice. Based on the analyses of atomic configuration and the energy barrier of vacancy formation, the mobility improvement is ascribed to the dislocation core reconstruction and its related dissociation. These new findings are also validated in other HCP metals e.g. Ti and Zr.