Quantifying the synergetic strengthening in gradient material

Synergetic strengthening in heterostructures is a new strengthening mechanism for metals. Here, a simple procedure based on the relationship between hardness increment and yield strength increment of corresponding homogeneous counterparts is proposed to quantitatively predict the synergetic strengthening effect in gradient-structured Cu-30 wt%Zn. The synergetic strengthening among incompatible domains accounts for >33% of yield strength. The gradient structure with higher volume fraction of gradient domains exhibits higher synergetic strengthening. These results provide a new method for evaluating synergetic strengthening in heterostructured materials.