Cu/Nb multilayer composites with minimum individual layer thicknesses of ≈2.8 μm are achieved by accumulative roll bonding (ARB). The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of these composites are investigated with different layer thicknesses after ARB processing. The results show that there is no visible interfacial reaction between the Cu and Nb layers, and the kernel average misorientation (KAM) distributions in electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) maps remain in steady state during the third to seventh ARB cycles. The tensile testing results demonstrate that the yield strength increases with decreasing layer thickness in Cu/Nb multilayer composites. A simultaneous increase of strength and elongation is achieved by regulating the laminated structures. Microstructure and fracture analysis indicate that the simultaneous increase of strength and elongation is attributable to the high density of bimetal interfaces, which act as a barrier for dislocation mobility and crack propagation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.