Shear Induced Fluidization Of Thermal Amorphous Solids

Abstract: We study the shear induced fluidization of amorphous solids subjected to external loading by investigating the relaxation dynamics of the deformed states using computer simulation. A simple shear deformation is employed at constant rate to the thermal glassy materials. The shear localization and the plastic deformation heterogeneity with strain is investigated in terms of the non-affine displacement field. The mean square displacement shows an enhanced mobility of the particles with strain, indicating the fluidization of the material. Using the time correlation function we estimate the relaxation time of the sheared glasses. A significant decrease in the relaxation time is observed up to the yielding point as the material loses its solid nature and eventually becomes liquid-like. Finally, the imprint of memory of the quiescent sample on the rheological properties of the shear melted glass is investigated by computing the relaxation of the shear stress. We find a finite persistent residual stress that outlasts the experimental observation time in our system.