Enhanced strength and transformation-induced plasticity in rapidly solidified Zr–Co–(Al) alloys

Transformation-induced plasticity and significant work-hardening capability were verified to be an effective way to enhance the performance of materials. This work reports on a Zr49Co49Al2 alloy obtained by traditional water-cooled copper mold casting with high strength and large plasticity due to B2-to-B33 deformation-induced martensitic transformation. The B33 martensite with orthorhombic structure does not form spontaneously above room temperature in Zr–Co–(Al) alloys, except when it is induced by local stress concentration.