Nonlinear motion of crack tip atoms during cleavage processes

Nonlinear features of cleavage processes under mode I loading are explored from an atomic scale. Crack tip atom string models coupling with the continuum mechanics analysis are devised. As the stress intensity factor increases, dynamic analysis shows that the atom motion at a crack tip changes from quasi-periodic to chaotic and back to quasi-periodic. The chaotic atom motion characterizes a cleavage precursor in which the inter-atomic bond disintegrates under certain adhesion.