Single-dislocation-based strengthening mechanisms in nanoscale metallic multilayers

A novel post-weld treatment using nanostructured metallic multilayer for superior fatigue strength

Welded joints exhibit fatigue failure potential from weld geometry and characteristics of the heat affected zone. In order to counteract fatigue, structures and components require larger thicknesses resulting in heavier designs exhausting the finite natural resources. We hereby introduce a novel post-weld treatment, which postpones or even prevents fatigue failure of the welded connection. A Cu/Ni nanostructured metallic multilayer (NMM) is applied via electrodeposition and a 300-600% increase in usable lifetime compared to the untreated weld is observed. A FAT class 190 with a slope of k = 6 is proposed for the design of NMM treated butt welds. Material mechanisms responsible for the fatigue strength increase are introduced herein. A case study shows that the design of offshore wind turbine support structures applying NMM post-weld treatment enables a lifetime extension as well as a 28% weight reduction compared to the structure without post-weld treatment.

Dynamic Mechanical Behaviors of Nacre-Inspired Graphene-Polymer Nanocomposites Depending on Internal Nanostructures

Nacre, a natural nanocomposite with a brick-and-mortar structure existing in the inner layer of mollusk shells, has been shown to optimize strength and toughness along the laminae (in-plane) direction. However, such natural materials more often experience impact load in the direction perpendicular to the layers (i.e., out-of-plane direction) from predators. The dynamic responses and deformation mechanisms of layered structures under impact load in the out-of-plane direction have been much less analyzed. This study investigates the dynamic mechanical behaviors of nacre-inspired layered nanocomposite films using a model system that comprises alternating multi-layer graphene (MLG) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phases. With a validated coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation approach, we systematically study the mechanical properties and impact resistance of the MLG-PMMA nanocomposite films with different internal nanostructures, which are characterized by the layer thickness and number of repetitions while keeping the total volume constant. We find that as the layer thickness decreases, the effective modulus of the polymer phase confined by the adjacent MLG phases increases. Using ballistic impact simulations to explore the dynamic responses of nanocomposite films in the out-of-plane direction, we find that the impact resistance and dynamic failure mechanisms of the films depend on the internal nanostructures. Specifically, when each layer is relatively thick, the nanocomposite is more prone to spalling-like failure induced by compressive stress waves from the projectile impact. Whereas, when there are more repetitions, and each layer becomes relatively thin, a high-velocity projectile sequentially penetrates the nanocomposite film. In the low projectile velocity regime, the film develops crazing-like deformation zones in PMMA phases. We also show that the position of the soft PMMA phase relative to the stiff graphene sheets plays a significant role in the ballistic impact performance of the investigated films. Our study provides insights into the effect of nanostructures on the dynamic mechanical behaviors of layered nanocomposites, which can lead to effective design strategies for impact-resistant films.

Nanomaterials by design: a review of nanoscale metallic multilayers

Nanoscale metallic multilayers have been shown to have a wide range of outstanding properties, which differ to a great extent from those observed in monolithic films. Their exceptional properties are mainly associated with the large number of interfaces and the nanoscale layer thicknesses. Many studies have investigated these materials focusing on magnetic, mechanical, optical, or radiation tolerance properties. Thus, this review provides a summary of the findings in each area, including a description of the general attributes, the adopted synthesis methods and most common characterization techniques used. This information is followed by a compendium of the material properties and a brief discussion of related experimental data, as well as existing and promising applications. Other phenomena of interest, including thermal stability studies, self-propagating reactions and the progression from nano multilayers to amorphous and/or crystalline alloys, are also covered. In general, this review highlights the use of nano multilayer architectures as viable routes to overcome the challenges of designing and implementing new engineering materials at the nanoscale.

Interface Effects on He Ion Irradiation in Nanostructured Materials

In advanced fission and fusion reactors, structural materials suffer from high dose irradiation by energetic particles and are subject to severe microstructure damage. He atoms, as a byproduct of the (n, α) transmutation reaction, could accumulate to form deleterious cavities, which accelerate radiation-induced embrittlement, swelling and surface deterioration, ultimately degrade the service lifetime of reactor materials. Extensive studies have been performed to explore the strategies that can mitigate He ion irradiation damage. Recently, nanostructured materials have received broad attention because they contain abundant interfaces that are efficient sinks for radiation-induced defects. In this review, we summarize and analyze the current understandings on interface effects on He ion irradiation in nanostructured materials. Some key challenges and research directions are highlighted for studying the interface effects on radiation damage in nanostructured materials.

Cracking and Toughening Mechanisms in Nanoscale Metallic Multilayer Films: A Brief Review

Nanoscale metallic multilayer films (NMMFs) have captured scientific interests on their mechanical responses. Compared with the properties of monolithic films, multilayers possess unique high strength as the individual layer thickness reduces to the nanoscale, which is benefited from the plentiful hetero-interfaces. However, NMMFs always exhibit a low fracture toughness and ductility, which seriously hinders their practical applications. While there have been reviews on the strengthening and deformation mechanisms of microlaminate, rapid developments in nanotechnology have brought an urgent requirement for an overview focused on the cracking and toughening mechanisms in nanoscale metallic multilayers. This article provides an extensive review on the structure, standard methodology and fracture mechanisms of NMMFs. A number of issues about the crack-related properties of NMMFs have been displayed, such as fracture toughness, wear resistance, adhesion energy, and plastic instability. Taken together, it is hoped that this review will achieve the following two purposes: (1) introducing the size-dependent cracking and toughness performance in NMMFs; and (2) offer a better understanding of the role interfaces displayed in toughening mechanisms. Finally, we list a few questions we concerned, which may shed light on further development.

Interfacial Model and Characterization for Nanoscale ReB₂/TaN Multilayers at Desired Modulation Period and Ratios: First-Principles Calculations and Experimental Investigations

The interfacial structure of ReB₂/TaN multilayers at varied modulation periods (Λ) and modulation ratios (t_ReB2:t_TaN) was investigated using key experiments combined with first-principles calculations. A maximum hardness of 38.7 GPa occurred at Λ = 10 nm and t_ReB2:t_TaN = 1:1. The fine nanocrystalline structure with small grain sizes remained stable for individual layers at Λ= 10 nm and t_ReB2:t_TaN = 1:1. The calculation of the interfacial structure model and interfacial energy was performed using the first principles to advance the in-depth understanding of the relationship between the mechanical properties, residual stresses, and the interfacial structure. The B-Ta interfacial configuration was calculated to have the highest adsorption energy and the lowest interfacial energy. The interfacial energy and adsorption energy at different t_ReB2:t_TaN followed the same trend as that of the residual stress. The 9ReB₂/21TaN interfacial structure in the B-Ta interfacial configuration was found to be the most stable interface in which the highest adsorption energy and the lowest interfacial energy were obtained. The chemical bonding between the neighboring B atom and the Ta atom in the interfaces showed both covalency and iconicity, which provided a theoretical interpretation of the relationship between the residual stress and the stable interfacial structure of the ReB₂/TaN multilayer.

Hetero interface and twin boundary mediated strengthening in nano-twinned Cu//Ag multilayered materials

Based on molecular dynamics simulations, tensile mechanical properties and plastic deformation mechanisms of nano-twinned Cu//Ag multilayered materials are investigated in this work. Simulation results show that, due to the stronger strengthening effect of the twin boundary than both the cube-on-cube and hetero-twin interfaces between Cu and Ag layers, the strength increases with the increase of layer thickness for nano-twinned Cu//Ag multilayered materials with a constant twin spacing, while it decreases with the increase of layer thickness for twin-free ones. The strength of hetero-twin multilayered materials is higher than that of the cube-on-cube samples due to the different hetero interfacial configurations. The confined layer slip of dislocation is found to be the dominant plastic deformation mechanism for twin-free hetero-twin multilayered materials and the strength versus twin spacing in nano-twinned samples follows the conventional Hall-Petch relationship. These findings will shed light on the understanding of the plastic deformation mechanisms and the fabrication of high strength nano-twinned multilayered metallic materials.

Role of Graphene in Reducing Fatigue Damage in Cu/Gr Nanolayered Composite

Nanoscale metal/graphene nanolayered composite is known to have ultrahigh strength as the graphene effectively blocks dislocations from penetrating through the metal/graphene interface. The same graphene interface, which has a strong sp2 bonding, can simultaneously serve as an effective interface for deflecting the fatigue cracks that are generated under cyclic bendings. In this study, Cu/Gr composite with repeat layer spacing of 100 nm was tested for bending fatigue at 1.6% and 3.1% strain up to 1,000,000 cycles that showed for the first time a 5-6 times enhancement in fatigue resistance compared to the conventional Cu thin film. Fatigue cracks that are generated within the Cu layer were stopped by the graphene interface, which are evidenced by cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images. Molecular dynamics simulations for uniaxial tension of Cu/Gr showed limited accumulation of dislocations at the film/substrate interface, which makes the fatigue crack formation and propagation through thickness of the film difficult in this materials system.

Mechanisms of subsurface damage and material removal during high speed grinding processes in Ni/Cu multilayers using a molecular dynamics study

Molecular dynamics simulation of Ni/Cu multilayers under grinding process with a diamond tip is performed, with the aim of investigating the subsurface damage and material removal in Ni/Cu multilayers.

Molecular dynamics simulation of nanoindentation on Cu/Ni nanotwinned multilayer films using a spherical indenter

We performed molecular dynamics simulation of nanoindentation on Cu/Ni nanotwinned multilayer films using a spherical indenter, aimed to investigate the effects of hetero-twin interface and twin thickness on hardness. We found that both twinning partial slip (TPS) and partial slip parallel with twin boundary (PSPTB) can reduce hardness and therefore should not be ignored when evaluating mechanical properties at nanoscale. There is a critical range of twin thickness λ (~25 Å < λ < ~31 Å), in which hardness of the multilayer films is maximized. At a smaller λ, TPSs appear due to the reaction between partial dislocations and twin boundary accounts for the softening-dominated mechanism. We also found that the combination of the lowered strengthening due to confined layer slips and the softening due to TPSs and PSPTBs results in lower hardness at a larger λ.

Massive interfacial reconstruction at misfit dislocations in metal/oxide interfaces

Electronic structure calculations were performed to study the role of misfit dislocations on the structure and chemistry of a metal/oxide interface. We found that a chemical imbalance exists at the misfit dislocation which leads to dramatic changes in the point defect content at the interface – stabilizing the structure requires removing as much as 50% of the metal atoms and insertion of a large number of oxygen interstitials. The exact defect composition that stabilizes the interface is sensitive to the external oxygen partial pressure. We relate the preferred defect structure at the interface to a competition between chemical and strain energies as defects are introduced.

Strengthening effect of single-atomic-layer graphene in metal-graphene nanolayered composites

Graphene is a single-atomic-layer material with excellent mechanical properties and has the potential to enhance the strength of composites. Its two-dimensional geometry, high intrinsic strength and modulus can effectively constrain dislocation motion, resulting in the significant strengthening of metals. Here we demonstrate a new material design in the form of a nanolayered composite consisting of alternating layers of metal (copper or nickel) and monolayer graphene that has ultra-high strengths of 1.5 and 4.0 GPa for copper-graphene with 70-nm repeat layer spacing and nickel-graphene with 100-nm repeat layer spacing, respectively. The ultra-high strengths of these metal-graphene nanolayered structures indicate the effectiveness of graphene in blocking dislocation propagation across the metal-graphene interface. Ex situ and in situ transmission electron microscopy compression tests and molecular dynamics simulations confirm a build-up of dislocations at the graphene interface.

Softening due to disordered grain boundaries in nanocrystalline Co

Nanocrystalline Co consisting of fcc and hcp phases was processed by electrodeposition, and its mechanical properties were investigated by hardness tests. In addition, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to investigate the grain boundary structure and dislocation nucleation from the grain boundaries. A large amount of disorders existed at the grain boundaries and stacking faults were formed from the grain boundaries in the as-deposited Co specimen. The as-deposited specimen showed a lower hardness than did the annealed specimen, although the grain size of the former was smaller than that of the latter. The activation volume of the as-deposited specimen (=1.5b(3)) was lower than that of the annealed specimen (=50b(3)), thus indicating that nucleation of dislocations from grain boundaries is more active in the as-deposited specimen than in the annealed specimens. The MD simulations showed that dislocation nucleation was closely related to a change in the defect structures at the boundary. Therefore, it is suggested that a significant amount of defects enhance changes in the defect structures at the boundary, resulting in softening of the as-deposited specimen.

Length-dependent mechanical properties of gold nanowires

The well-known "size effect" is not only related to the diameter but also to the length of the small volume materials. It is unfortunate that the length effect on the mechanical behavior of nanowires is rarely explored in contrast to the intensive studies of the diameter effect. The present paper pays attention to the length-dependent mechanical properties of 〈111〉-oriented single crystal gold nanowires employing the large-scale molecular dynamics simulation. It is discovered that the ultrashort Au nanowires exhibit a new deformation and failure regime-high elongation and high strength. The constrained dislocation nucleation and transient dislocation slipping are observed as the dominant mechanism for such unique combination of high strength and high elongation. A mechanical model based on image force theory is developed to provide an insight to dislocation nucleation and capture the yield strength and nucleation site of first partial dislocation indicated by simulation results. Increasing the length of the nanowires, the ductile-to-brittle transition is confirmed. And the new explanation is suggested in the predict model of this transition. Inspired by the superior properties, a new approach to strengthen and toughen nanowires-hard/soft/hard sandwich structured nanowires is suggested. A preliminary evidence from the molecular dynamics simulation corroborates the present opinion.