A new mechanism of crystal ($c$)–amorphous ($a$) and $c\mathrm{\text{−}}c$ phase transformations (PTs) and internal stress relaxation via virtual melting (VM) induced by internal stresses was justified thermodynamically and kinetically. VM removes interface friction, reduces kinetic barrier, increases atomic mobility, and can reduce thermodynamic melting temperature. We combine VM and nonequilibrium PT diagrams to develop new scenarios of $c\mathrm{\text{−}}a$ and $c\mathrm{\text{−}}c$ PTs. Results are applied for a new interpretation of $c\mathrm{\text{−}}c$ and $c\mathrm{\text{−}}a$ PT mechanisms in ice Ih and are also applicable for other materials.

• Received 27 August 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.075701