Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
The structure and elastic properties of superlattices composed of high-angle twist grain boundaries on (100) planes of copper are investigated as a function of both the modulation wavelength and temperature via molecular dynamics simulations. Comparison is made with zero-temperature results, where a stiffening of the Young's modulus normal to the interfaces and a softening of the modulus for shear parallel to the interfaces has previously been observed. The differences between the effects of homogeneous (temperature-induced) and inhomogeneous (interface-induced) structural disorder on the elastic properties is explored.