Tailoring dislocation structures and mechanical properties of nanostructured metals produced by plastic deformation

The presence of a dislocation structure associated with low-angle dislocation boundaries and interior dislocations is a common and characteristic feature in nanostructured metals produced by plastic deformation, and plays an important role in determining both the strength and ductility of the nanostructured metals. The dislocation structure can be modified by post-process annealing and deformation which points to new ways of optimizing the mechanical properties. Such ways are demonstrated and discussed. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.