The 1/2 screw dislocations in bcc iron are studied by atomistic simulations. An analytical yield criterion captures correctly the non-Schmid plastic behavior. A model Peierls potential develops a link between the atomistic modeling at 0 K and the thermally activated dislocation motion. All predicted features agree well with experimental observations. This work establishes a consistent bottom-up model that provides an insight into the microscopic origins of the plastic behavior of bcc iron.
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