Reducing grain size(i.e.increasing the fraction of grain boundaries)could effectively strengthen nanograined metals but inevitably sacrifices the ductility and possibly causes a strengthening-softening transition belo...Reducing grain size(i.e.increasing the fraction of grain boundaries)could effectively strengthen nanograined metals but inevitably sacrifices the ductility and possibly causes a strengthening-softening transition below a critical grain size.In this work,a facile laser surface remelting-based technique was employed and optimized to fabricate a∼600μm-thick heterogeneous gradient nanostructured layer on an austenitic Hadfield manganese steel,in which the average grain size is gradually decreased from∼200μm in the matrix to only∼8 nm in the nanocrystalline-amorphous core-shell topmost surface.Atomic-scale microstructural characterizations dissected the gradient refinement processes along the gradient direction,i.e.transiting from the dislocations activities and twinning in sub-region to three kinds of martensitic transformations,and finally a multi-phase nanocrystalline-amorphous core-shell structural surface.Mechanical tests(e.g.nanoindentation,bulk-specimen tensile,and micro-pillar compression)were conducted along the gradient direction.It confirms a tensile strength of∼1055 MPa and ductility of∼10.5%in the laser-processed specimen.Particularly,the core-shell structural surface maintains ultra-strong(tensile strength of∼1.6 GPa,micro-pillar compressive strength of∼4 GPa at a strain of∼8%,and nanoindentation hardness of∼7.7 GPa)to overcome the potential strengthening-softening transition.Such significant strengthening effects are ascribed to the strength-ductility synergetic effects-induced extra work hardening ability in gradient nanostructure and the well-maintained dislocation activities inside extremely refined nanograins in the multi-phase nanocrystalline-amorphous core-shell structural surface,which are evidenced by atomic-scale observations and theoretical analysis.This study provides a unique hetero-nanostructure through a facile laser-related technique for extraordinary mechanical performance.展开更多
文摘Reducing grain size(i.e.increasing the fraction of grain boundaries)could effectively strengthen nanograined metals but inevitably sacrifices the ductility and possibly causes a strengthening-softening transition below a critical grain size.In this work,a facile laser surface remelting-based technique was employed and optimized to fabricate a∼600μm-thick heterogeneous gradient nanostructured layer on an austenitic Hadfield manganese steel,in which the average grain size is gradually decreased from∼200μm in the matrix to only∼8 nm in the nanocrystalline-amorphous core-shell topmost surface.Atomic-scale microstructural characterizations dissected the gradient refinement processes along the gradient direction,i.e.transiting from the dislocations activities and twinning in sub-region to three kinds of martensitic transformations,and finally a multi-phase nanocrystalline-amorphous core-shell structural surface.Mechanical tests(e.g.nanoindentation,bulk-specimen tensile,and micro-pillar compression)were conducted along the gradient direction.It confirms a tensile strength of∼1055 MPa and ductility of∼10.5%in the laser-processed specimen.Particularly,the core-shell structural surface maintains ultra-strong(tensile strength of∼1.6 GPa,micro-pillar compressive strength of∼4 GPa at a strain of∼8%,and nanoindentation hardness of∼7.7 GPa)to overcome the potential strengthening-softening transition.Such significant strengthening effects are ascribed to the strength-ductility synergetic effects-induced extra work hardening ability in gradient nanostructure and the well-maintained dislocation activities inside extremely refined nanograins in the multi-phase nanocrystalline-amorphous core-shell structural surface,which are evidenced by atomic-scale observations and theoretical analysis.This study provides a unique hetero-nanostructure through a facile laser-related technique for extraordinary mechanical performance.
