Development of high-performance nanostructured aluminum and its constitutive modeling

Abstract

A new technique, an in-situ hot-extrusion-based synthesizing process, is proposed to develop high-performance nanocrystalline aluminum (nc-Al) with an optimally tuned strength-to-ductility ratio suitable for various technologically relevant applications. Comprehensive investigations are conducted by characterizing mechanical and microstructural properties to realize the influence of various synthesizing variables on the properties of the bulk nc-Al. Furthermore, a continuum-scale constitutive modeling approach is proposed based on dominant microstructural mechanisms of plastic deformation and implemented into a finite element solver using a user-defined material interface. It is shown that the proposed theory can provide a versatile platform to predict the nanocrystalline aluminum mechanical response quite well.