Thermally stable nanostructured materials from severe plastic deformation of precipitation-treatable Ni-based alloys

We demonstrate a means of extending the temperature range for structural applications of nanomaterials through introduction of a dispersion of precipitates, whose thermal stability determines the temperature at which strength deteriorates. Precipitate-stabilized nanostructures created via severe plastic deformation of Inconel are shown to be stable even after heat treatment for 240 h at temperatures up to one-half of the melting point. This stability results from retention of both the fine microstructure and precipitate phases at high temperatures.