Plastic deformation induced formation of supersaturated solid solution nanostructure in a dual-phase Cu-Ag alloy

A gradient nanostructured (GNS) surface layer was generated in a dual-phase Cu-Ag alloy by means of surface mechanical grinding treatment at liquid nitrogen temperature. With a decreasing depth in the surface layer, the coarse-grained microstructure of Cu matrix and Ag precipitates gradually converts into a nanolaminated structure of Ag-and Cu-rich phases with simultaneous chemical mixing, and finally forms a homogeneous single-phase supersaturated solid solution (SSS) nanostructure. Accordingly, a dislocation mediated transportation mechanism was proposed to dominate the chemical mixing of Ag and Cu atoms, i.e., dislocations interacting with solution atoms penetrate the Cu/Ag interface and glide in the neighboring solvent-phase lamella. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A gradient nanostructured (GNS) surface layer was produced in a dual-phase Cu-Ag alloy through surface mechanical grinding treatment at liquid nitrogen temperature, resulting in a homogeneous single-phase supersaturated solid solution (SSS) nanostructure formed by simultaneous chemical mixing.