Ultra-high strength and plasticity mediated by partial dislocations and defect networks: Part I: Texture effect

Deformation mechanisms governing the strength of nanostructured metallic multilayers have been studied extensively. In general, size effect is the most effective way to tailor the mechanical strength of multilayers. Here we report that three Cu/Co multilayer systems with identical layer thickness but different types of layer interfaces exhibit drastically different mechanical behavior. In situ micropillar compression tests inside a scanning electron microscope show that coherent FCC (100) and (110) Cu/Co multilayer systems have low yield strength of about 600 MPa, and prominent shear instability. In contrast, the incoherent Cu/ HCP Co multilayers show much greater yield strength, exceeding 2.4 GPa, and significant plasticity manifested by a cap on the deformed pillar. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal an unexpected interplay among pre-existing twin boundaries in Cu, stacking faults in HCP Co, and incoherent layer interfaces, which leads to partial dislocation dominated high strength and outstanding plasticity. This study provides fresh insights for the design of strong, deformable nanocomposites by using a defect network consisting of twin boundaries, stacking faults and layer interfaces.