Anomalous Plasticity in the Cyclic Torsion of Micron Scale Metallic Wires

The plasticity of micron scale Cu and Au wires under cyclic torsion is investigated for the first time by using a torsion balance technique. In addition to a size effect, a distinct Bauschinger effect and an anomalous plastic recovery, wherein reverse plasticity even occurs upon unloading, are unambiguously revealed. The Bauschinger effect and plastic recovery have been observed in molecular dynamics and discrete dislocation dynamics simulations...