Mechanical properties were studied by using molecular dynamics methods and effective-medium theory; both at room temperature and near to absolute zero. Loading was introduced via constant-rate straining, and the dynamics of the fracture process region were purely Newtonian. Point defects were shown to decrease the system strength with regard to fracture stress, fracture strain, and elastic modulus. Dislocations propagated with a velocity that was far below the velocity of sound, and preferred the <110> orientation.

Molecular-Dynamics Study of Copper with Defects under Strain P.Heino, H.Häkkinen, K.Kaski: Physical Review B, 1998, 58[2], 641-52