Nanostructure–dendrite composites in the Fe–Zr binary alloy system exhibiting high strength and plasticity

  The present study shows that nanostructure–dendrite composites successfully synthesize in the Fe–Zr binary eutectic system, exhibiting a better combination of strength and plasticity than bulk metallic glass or nanograined materials. The composites composed of microscaled dendritic phases (Fe2Zr or α-Fe) and nanoscaled lamellar eutectic matrix (Fe2Zr + α-Fe) exhibit high compressive strength (1.8–2.6 GPa) and plasticity (2.5–12%) under compression. In particular, the plasticity can be improved when coarsened ductile dendritic phases are reinforced in the fine-scaled lamellar eutectic matrix.