Nanoscale structural refinement via deformation twinning in face-centered cubic metals

Multiple deformation twinning occurs in deformed metals and alloys under suitable conditions, resulting in the formation of twin/matrix (T/M) lamellar structures which act as precursors for strain-induced structural refinement on the nanometer scale. Four possible mechanisms for nanoscale structural refinement via T/M lamellae in various face-centered cubic metals are identified, including fragmentation of T/M lamellae, formation of secondary twins, twin–twin intersection and shear banding. The effects of processing conditions and material parameters on nanoscale twinning are analyzed.