Failure mechanisms in metal/metal hybrid nanocrystalline microtruss materials

New types of hybrid nanocrystalline cellular materials can be created by electrodepositing ultra-high-strength nanocrystalline sleeves on microtruss cores. Electrodeposition creates an interconnected network of nanocrystalline tubes that controls the mechanical properties of the cellular hybrid. Although they have exceptional mechanical properties, the hierarchical structure of these materials means that there is a complex set of mechanisms involved during failure, including inelastic buckling of the composite nanocrystalline struts and nanocrystalline sleeve fracture. This study uses a combination of finite-element and experimental methods to investigate the effect of material and architectural failure on the compressive strength of nanocrystalline Ni-reinforced aluminum microtrusses.