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Failure Mechanisms
Atomic Model

· An atomistic model of the tensile fracture of a "perfect" crystal is illustrated below. 
· The interatomic spacing across the fracture plane increases under the applied stress, reaching a maximum of a at fracture. After fracture the interatomic spacing relaxes to the original value, a0.
From: Courtney, 
"Mechanical Behavior of Materials," 
McGraw Hill (1990)
· The stress-displacement relationship depends upon the form of the interatomic potential, V(ai), and is initially linear.