Microsample tensile testing of nanocrystalline copper

The tensile properties of nanocrystalline copper with grain sizes <100 nm produced by surface mechanical attrition treatment have been characterized using a microsample testing technique. The nanocrystalline copper exhibits a yield strength as high as 760 MPa, with a small elongation to failure. Factors leading to the high strength and low ductility are discussed. (C) 2003 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.