Microstructures and Mechanical Behavior of Bulk Nanocrystalline γ–Ni–Fe Produced by a Mechanochemical Method

Abstract

The microstructures and mechanical behavior of bulk nanocrystalline γ–Ni–xFe (n-Ni–Fe) with x = ∼19–21 wt%, synthesized by a mechanochemical method plus hot-isostatic pressing, were investigated using microstructural analysis [x-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, light emission spectrum, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and optical microscopy (OM)], and mechanical (indentation and compression) tests, respectively. The results indicated that the yield strength (σ_0.2) of n-Ni–Fe (d ∼ 33 nm) is about 13 times greater than that of conventional counterpart. The change of yield strength with grain size was basically in agreement with Hall–Petch relation in the size range (33–100 nm) investigated. OM observations demonstrated the existence of two sets of macroscopic bandlike deformation traces mostly orienting at 45–55° to the compression axis, while AFM observations revealed that these bandlike traces consist of ultrafine lines. The cause for high strength and the possible deformation mechanisms were discussed based on the characteristics of microstructures and deformation morphology of n-Ni–Fe.