The impact of altered interface structures on the melting behaviour of embedded nanoparticles

Al–Pb ribbons containing 1 at.% Pb have been produced by melt-spinning and were subsequently subjected to a severe plastic deformation process by torsion straining under a high uniaxial pressure of 8 GPa. After melt spinning, Pb nanocrystals that reside within the Al-grains display a facetted morphology and melt at temperatures above the melting temperature of Pb in bulk shape. In contrast, after additional deformation treatment, a significant melting point depression was found, accompanied by a defaceting of the Pb particles.