Evidence for the supermodulus effect and enhanced hardness in metallic superlattices

Journal Article · Sun Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.44.13760· OSTI ID:5654400

Fartash, A ^[1]; Bobbin, S E; Wagner, J W; Cammarata, R C ^[2]; Kumar, S; Grimsditch, M ^[3]

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1. Physics Department 0319, University of California (enSan Diego, La Jolla, California 92093 (United States)) Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States) Fullerton, E.E. Schuller, I.K. Physics Department 0319, University of California (enSan Diego, La Jolla, California 92093 (United States))
2. Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (United States)
3. Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States)

A study of the mechanical properties of Cu/Nb superlattices shows that for modulation wavelengths below {similar to}50 A the biaxial modulus increases by {similar to}15%, the shear modulus decreases by {similar to}30%, and the flexural modulus does not change. These observations show that anomalies with different signs for elastic moduli can coexist in the same material. Measurements performed on both supported and unsupported films show that the anomalous effects are not induced by the presence of a substrate. The superlattices are also found to have a hardness larger than either Cu or Nb.

• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5654400
• Journal Information: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States) Vol. 44:24; ISSN PRBMD; ISSN 0163-1829
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360103* -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
COPPER
ELEMENTS
FLEXIBILITY
HARDNESS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALS
NIOBIUM
SHEAR PROPERTIES
SUPERLATTICES
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS