The effect of annealing on the deformation and impurity segregation mechanisms in electrodeposited nanocrystalline NiCo alloy

Fully dense nanocrystalline alloys have high strength, hardness, and wear resistance due to their extremely fine (nano) crystals. This makes them of significant interest in different industrial applications which require excellent mechanical properties. A new nanocrystalline nickel-cobalt (NiCo) alloy, currently being developed with Integran Technologies Inc, Mississauga, Ontario, has a good combination of strength and wear resistance. We discovered that the strength of the alloy can further be improved by performing heat treatments at moderate temperatures after fabrication. On the other hand, the process related in the material sulfur impurities were found to make the alloy brittle if the heat treatment temperature is too high. However, the intrinsic mechanisms that lead to these changes in mechanical behavior remain not well understood. This project to be carried out at The University of Tokyo aims to examine these fundamental properties which will help in assessing the feasibility of accelerating the commercialization of the alloy for various applications.

Faculty Supervisor:

Uwe Erb

Student:

Partner:

The University of Tokyo

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: