Ruslan Valiev

Abstract:

The concept of grain boundary (GB) design is developed for enhancement of properties of ultrafine-grained (UFG) nanostructured metals and alloys by tailoring different GBs (low angle and high angle ones, special and random, equilibrium and non-equilibrium, and so on), using severe plastic deformation (SPD). By variations of regimes and routes of SPD processing, we show for several light alloys (Al, Mg and Ti) and steels the ability to produce UFG materials with different grain boundaries, and their effect on mechanical and functional properties of the processed materials, in particular, on their strength and ductility, fatigue or superplasticity, thermostability and electric conductivity. We demonstrate several examples of this approach for attaining superior properties in various nanostructured metals and alloys. The origin of these phenomena is discussed on the basis of the results of microstructural studies and observations of deformation mechanisms. Special emphasis is laid on the innovation potential and first applications of SPD-produced nanometals.