Eight routes to improve the tensile ductility of bulk nanostructured metals and alloys

Nanostructured metals and alloys are under intensive research worldwide and being developed into bulk forms for application. While these new materials offer record-high strength, their ductility is often inadequate, sometimes rendering them unusable. This article reviews recent progress in tailoring the nanostructure to achieve coexisting high strength and high ductility at room temperature. The focus is on a summary of the strategies currently being pursued as well as the outstanding issues that await future research.