Size dependency of self-diffusion and creep behavior of nanostructured metals

Grain boundary and bulk diffusion are two main governing processes of creep deformation in materials. Since the diffusion activation energy for nanostructured materials is lower than that for bulk, the diffusion is enhanced at the nano-scale, and nanosructured materials are expected to creep at lower temperatures and stresses. In this paper, a model has been developed to explain the effect of grain size on diffusion and creep behavior of nanostructures. Diffusion and creep phenomena have been shown to depend significantly upon size. Comparisons have been made with reported experimental results and related theoretical studies.