Strengthening Mechanism of Al/Ni Multilayers with Negative Enthalpy of Mixing.

ABSTRACT: The interface strengthening effect in nanoscale metallic multilayers is influenced by the enthalpy of mixing, which governs the chemical distribution and interface microstructure. In this study, Al/Ni multilayers were fabricated by magnetron sputter deposition, exhibiting an ultrahigh peak hardness of 9.5 GPa─the highest reported for face-centered cubic multilayer systems. Advanced electron microscopy revealed extensive interdiffusion at the Al/Ni interfaces and the formation of intermetallic bonds at both interfaces and grain boundaries. A modified confined layer slip model is proposed, accounting for energy changes associated with trailing dislocations propagating through interfaces or grain boundaries due to intermetallic bond formation. The model aligns closely with experimental data,

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12395473 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature