Effect of stacking fault energy on strength and ductility of nanostructured alloys: An evaluation with minimum solution hardening

The effect of stacking fault energy (SFE) on the mechanical properties was investigated in Ni-Co alloys which have minimum solution hardening effects. Cobalt reduces the SFE in nickel and this promotes grain refinement during processing and increases the dislocation and twin densities. A reduction in SFE increases strength and tensile ductility. The higher strength is due to grain refinement and higher dislocation and pre-existing twin densities whereas the higher ductility is attributed to a higher work hardening rate. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.