Advanced Materials, Vol.18, No.17, 2280-2280, 2006
Simultaneously increasing the ductility and strength of nanostructured alloys
Simultaneous increase of the ductility and strength of a bulk nanostructured Al alloy with an average grain size of similar to 100 nm (curve NS) has been achieved by precipitating Guinier-Preston (G-P) zones, eta', and eta particles (curve NS+P). Bulk nanostructured materials usually have high strength, but disappointingly low ductility. All previous attempts to enhance the ductility of nanostructured materials have sacrificed their yield strengths. This strategy is applicable to many nanostructured alloys and composites.