Microstructure and deformation mechanism of Ag/Fe nanocrystalline alloy

Nanocrystalline alloys were prepared by the inert-gas condensation and compaction method and were rolled. The deformed nanocrystalline alloys were examined by TEM and XRD in order to deduce the deformation mechanism. Tangled dislocations were not found in the grain of the deformed nanocrystalline Ag and Ag/Fe alloy by TEM. XRD measurements indicated that a normal preferred orientation of rolling was slightly developed in the Ag/Fe alloy but not in the Ag at all, even though the initial grain size was found to be smaller in the alloy than in the single component material. The grain growth occurred more or less by deformation. Hardness was not increased by deformation in the both materials. It is shown that the dominant deformation, especially in the single component material, is attributed to grain boundary sliding caused by grain boundary diffusion.