Nanostructure-dendrite composites in the Fe-Zr binary alloy system exhibiting high strength and plasticity

The present study shows that nanostructure-dendrite composites successfully synthesize in the Fe-Zr binary eutectic system, exhibiting a better combination of strength and plasticity than bulk metallic glass or nanograined materials. The composites composed of microscaled dendritic phases (Fe2Zr or alpha-Fe) and nanoscaled lamellar eutectic matrix (Fe2Zr + alpha-Fe) exhibit high compressive strength (1.8-2.6 GPa) and plasticity (2.5-12%) under compression. In particular, the plasticity can be improved when coarsened ductile dendritic phases are reinforced in the fine-scaled lamellar eutectic matrix. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.