Self-patterning Gd nano-fibers in Mg-Gd alloys.

Manipulating the shape and distribution of strengthening units, e.g. particles, fibers, and precipitates, in a bulk metal, has been a widely applied strategy of tailoring their mechanical properties. Here, we report self-assembled patterns of Gd nano-fibers in Mg-Gd alloys for the purpose of improving their strength and deformability. 1-nm Gd nano-fibers, with a ⟨c⟩-rod shape, are formed and hexagonally patterned in association with Gd segregations along dislocations that nucleated during hot extrusion. Such Gd-fiber patterns are able to regulate the relative activities of slips and twinning, as a result, overcome the inherent limitations in strength and ductility of Mg alloys. This nano-fiber patterning approach could be an effective method to engineer hexagonal metals.

在块状金属中操控强化单元（例如颗粒、纤维和沉淀物）的形状和分布，一直是一种广泛应用的调整其机械性能的策略。在此，我们报道了镁 - 钆合金中钆纳米纤维的自组装图案，目的是提高其强度和变形能力。具有〈c〉棒状的1纳米钆纳米纤维形成，并与热挤压过程中形核的位错上的钆偏析相关联，呈六边形图案排列。这种钆纤维图案能够调节滑移和孪生的相对活动，从而克服镁合金在强度和延展性方面的固有局限性。这种纳米纤维图案化方法可能是一种对六方金属进行工程设计的有效方法。