Molecular Dynamics Study of the Strength of Laser Sintered Iron Nanoparticles

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method is used to investigate the sintering process and the mechanical strength of iron nanoparticles. Neck growth and shrinkage of iron-iron nanoparticle pair during sintering process are calculated. Mechanical properties of iron nanoparticles sintered at various heating rates are investigated using uniaxial tensile test simulations. The results show that higher heating rate during sintering increases the mechanical strength of the sintered material.