Metals and alloys nanostructured by severe plastic deformation: Commercialization pathways

Abstract

Severe plastic deformation, which refines grain size and introduces nanoscale features in metals and alloys, offers the prospect of enhancing metal properties beyond the levels otherwise attainalble. It allows stable deformation to larger strains than most conventional metal-forming methods, there by increasing the degree of strengthening possible. Before aprocess can be commercialized. it must be established that there are significant market drivers. Once those drivers are established, an array of factors must be considered that can impede or augment commercialization. This work will introduce four of these: competition from other materials, appropriability, maturity of design paradigm, and distribution of complementary assets.