Terence G. Langdon

Abstract:

Processing through the application of severe plastic deformation (SPD) produces exceptional grain refinement to the submicrometer or even the nanometer level. The paradox of strength and ductility was suggested several years ago [1] and has become a major topic in all studies of SPD metals. This paradox relates to the fact that metals may be strong or ductile, but generally they fail to exhibit both high strength and high ductility. Since SPD metals have very small grain sizes, it follows that the strength is usually high but the ductility is limited. This presentation examines the significance of this paradox and discusses possible procedures for at least partially alleviating the low ductility, which tends to be an inherent feature of these SPD nanomaterials.