Synergetic Strengthening by Gradient Structure

作者：Xiaolei Wu, Ping Jiang, Liang Chen, J. F. Zhang, Fuping Yuan, Yuntian Zhu · 发表于：Materials Research Letters · 年份：2014 · DOI：10.1080/21663831.2014.935821 · 被引用次数：616 · 研究领域：Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research、Boron and Carbon Nanomaterials Research、Microstructure and mechanical properties

Gradient structures are characterized with a systematic change in microstructures on a macroscopic scale. Here, we report that gradient structures in engineering materials such as metals produce an intrinsic synergetic strengthening, which is much higher than the sum of separate gradient layers. This is caused by macroscopic stress gradient and the bi-axial stress generated by mechanical incompatibility between different layers. This represents a new mechanism for strengthening that exploits the principles of both mechanics and materials science. It may provide for a novel strategy for designing material structures with superior properties.