Designing heterostructured materials
Source abstract
Abstract
Heterostructures are composed of spatially distinct zones with differing mechanical and/or physical properties. When carefully engineered, these architectures can exhibit superior performance compared with their homogeneous counterparts. However, not all heterostructures inherently lead to a pronounced improvement in properties. Realizing the full potential of complex heterostructures requires a rigorous understanding of the structure-property relationships and mechanisms related to inter-zone interactions. This knowledge is essential if the heterostructure effect is to be effectively harnessed and the overall performance of the material optimized. Here we examine the fundamental mechanisms underlying the unusual mechanical properties of heterostructured materials, highlighting the important role of interactive coupling in the heterozone boundary-affected regions. We outline strategies for evaluating the effects that arise from heterostructures, in particular the heterodeformation-induced stress. We also provide guidelines for designing heterostructured materials with optimal mechanical properties, and discuss future directions for property design and characterization development.
Source: europepmc · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: 2D Materials and Applications · Machine Learning in Materials Science · Cellular and Composite Structures
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (58)
Show source-provided references
1. Zhu, Y. & Wu, X. Heterostructured materials. Prog. Mater. Sci. 131, 101019 (2023).10.1016/j.pmatsci.2022.101019 ↗
2. Zhu, Y. et al. Heterostructured materials: superior properties from hetero-zone interaction. Mater. Res. Lett. 9, 1–31 (2021).10.1080/21663831.2020.1796836 ↗
3. Zhu, Y. & Wu, X. Introduction to Heterostructured Materials 1st edn (Elsevier, 2023).10.1016/B978-0-323-99326-5.00008-7 ↗
4. Cheng, Z., Zhou, H., Lu, Q., Gao, H. & Lu, L. Extra strengthening and work hardening in gradient nanotwinned metals. Science 362, eaau1925 (2018).10.1126/science.aau1925 ↗
5. Li, X., Lu, L., Li, J., Zhang, X. & Gao, H. Mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of gradient nanostructured metals and alloys. Nat. Rev. Mater. 5, 706–723 (2020).10.1038/s41578-020-0212-2 ↗
6. Fang, T. H., Li, W. L., Tao, N. R. & Lu, K. Revealing extraordinary intrinsic tensile plasticity in gradient nano-grained copper. Science 331, 1587–1590 (2011).10.1126/science.1200177 ↗
7. Lu, K. Making strong nanomaterials ductile with gradients. Science 345, 1455–1456 (2014).10.1126/science.1255940 ↗
8. Sathiyamoorthi, P. & Kim, H. S. High-entropy alloys with heterogeneous microstructure: processing and mechanical properties. Prog. Mater. Sci. 123, 100709 (2022).10.1016/j.pmatsci.2020.100709 ↗
9. Wu, H. & Fan, G. An overview of tailoring strain delocalization for strength–ductility synergy. Prog. Mater. Sci. 113, 100675 (2020).10.1016/j.pmatsci.2020.100675 ↗
10. Wei, Y. et al. Evading the strength–ductility trade-off dilemma in steel through gradient hierarchical nanotwins. Nat. Commun. 5, 3580 (2014).10.1038/ncomms4580 ↗
11. Vajpai, S. K., Ota, M., Zhang, Z. & Ameyama, K. Three-dimensionally gradient harmonic structure design: an integrated approach for high performance structural materials. Mater. Res. Lett. 4, 191–197 (2016).10.1080/21663831.2016.1218965 ↗
12. Park, H. K., Ameyama, K., Yoo, J., Hwang, H. & Kim, H. S. Additional hardening in harmonic structured materials by strain partitioning and back stress. Mater. Res. Lett. 6, 261–267 (2018).10.1080/21663831.2018.1439115 ↗
13. Zhang, X. Heterostructures: new opportunities for functional materials. Mater. Res. Lett. 8, 49–59 (2020).10.1080/21663831.2019.1691668 ↗
14. Wu, X. et al. Heterogeneous lamella structure unites ultrafine-grain strength with coarse-grain ductility. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 112, 14501–14505 (2015).10.1073/pnas.1517193112 ↗
15. Wu, X. L., Jiang, P., Chen, L., Yuan, F. & Zhu, Y. T. Extraordinary strain hardening by gradient structure. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 111, 7197–7201 (2014).10.1073/pnas.1324069111 ↗
16. Yang, M.-X. et al. Residual stress provides significant strengthening and ductility in gradient structured materials. Mater. Res. Lett. 7, 433–438 (2019).10.1080/21663831.2019.1635537 ↗
17. Sawangrat, C., Kato, S., Orlov, D. & Ameyama, K. Harmonic-structured copper: performance and proof of fabrication concept based on severe plastic deformation of powders. J. Mater. Sci. 49, 6579–6585 (2014).10.1007/s10853-014-8258-4 ↗
18. Nagata, M., Horikawa, N., Kawabata, M. & Ameyama, K. Effects of microstructure on mechanical properties of harmonic structure designed pure Ni. Mater. Trans. 60, 1914–1920 (2019).10.2320/matertrans.MT-M2019145 ↗
19. Calcagnotto, M., Adachi, Y., Ponge, D. & Raabe, D. Deformation and fracture mechanisms in fine- and ultrafine-grained ferrite/martensite dual-phase steels and the effect of aging. Acta Mater. 59, 658–670 (2011).10.1016/j.actamat.2010.10.002 ↗
20. Li, Z., Pradeep, K. G., Deng, Y., Raabe, D. & Tasan, C. C. Metastable high-entropy dual-phase alloys overcome the strength–ductility trade-off. Nature 534, 227–230 (2016).10.1038/nature17981 ↗
21. Wang, Y., Chen, M., Zhou, F. & Ma, E. High tensile ductility in a nanostructured metal. Nature 419, 912–915 (2002).10.1038/nature01133 ↗
22. Han, B. Q., Lavernia, E. J., Lee, Z., Nutt, S. & Witkin, D. Deformation behavior of bimodal nanostructured 5083 Al alloys. Metall. Mater. Trans. A 36, 957–965 (2005).10.1007/s11661-005-0289-7 ↗
23. Han, B. Q., Huang, J. Y., Zhu, Y. T. & Lavernia, E. J. Strain rate dependence of properties of cryomilled bimodal 5083 Al alloys. Acta Mater. 54, 3015–3024 (2006).10.1016/j.actamat.2006.02.045 ↗
24. Ma, X. et al. Mechanical properties in copper/bronze laminates: role of interfaces. Acta Mater. 116, 43–52 (2016).10.1016/j.actamat.2016.06.023 ↗
25. Ma, X. L. et al. Strain hardening and ductility in a coarse-grain/nanostructure laminate material. Scr. Mater. 103, 57–60 (2015).10.1016/j.scriptamat.2015.03.006 ↗
26. Hall, E. O. The deformation and ageing of mild steel: III discussion of results. Proc. Phys. Soc. B 64, 747 (1951).10.1088/0370-1301/64/9/303 ↗
27. Petch, N. J. The cleavage strength of polycrystals. J. Iron Steel Inst. 174, 25–28 (1953).
28. Ashby, M. F. The deformation of plastically non-homogeneous materials. Philos. Mag. 21, 399–424 (1970).10.1080/14786437008238426 ↗
29. Gao, H., Huang, Y., Nix, W. D. & Hutchinson, J. W. Mechanism-based strain gradient plasticity – I. Theory. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 47, 1239–1263 (1999).10.1016/S0022-5096(98)00103-3 ↗
30. Li, J., Cao, Y., Gao, B., Li, Y. & Zhu, Y. Superior strength and ductility of 316L stainless steel with heterogeneous lamella structure. J. Mater. Sci. 53, 10442–10456 (2018).10.1007/s10853-018-2322-4 ↗
31. Cheng, Q. et al. Optimizing strength–ductility synergy in lightweight steel via heterogeneous design: discontinuous fibrous ferrite. Mater. Res. Lett. 12, 947–955 (2024).10.1080/21663831.2024.2406913 ↗
32. Wang, R. et al. High strength titanium with fibrous grain for advanced bone regeneration. Adv. Sci. 10, 2207698 (2023).10.1002/advs.202207698 ↗
33. Wang, R. et al. Crystallographic plane-induced selective mineralization of nanohydroxyapatite on fibrous-grained titanium promotes osteointegration and biocorrosion resistance. Biomaterials 313, 122800 (2025).10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122800 ↗
34. Lou, L. et al. Directional magnetization reversal enables ultrahigh energy density in gradient nanostructures. Adv. Mater. 33, 2102800 (2021).10.1002/adma.202102800 ↗
35. Li, X. et al. Novel bimorphological anisotropic bulk nanocomposite materials with high energy products. Adv. Mater. 29, 1606430 (2017).10.1002/adma.201606430 ↗
36. Li, X. et al. Controllably manipulating three-dimensional hybrid nanostructures for bulk nanocomposites with large energy products. Nano Lett. 17, 2985–2993 (2017).10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b00264 ↗
37. Li, H. et al. Three-dimensional self-assembly of core/shell-like nanostructures for high-performance nanocomposite permanent magnets. Nano Lett. 16, 5631–5638 (2016).10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b02210 ↗
38. Biswas, K. et al. High-performance bulk thermoelectrics with all-scale hierarchical architectures. Nature 489, 414–418 (2012); erratum 490, 570 (2012).10.1038/nature11439 ↗
39. Li, F. et al. Ultrahigh piezoelectricity in ferroelectric ceramics by design. Nat. Mater. 17, 349–354 (2018).10.1038/s41563-018-0034-4 ↗
40. Zhu, Y. & Wu, X. Perspective on hetero-deformation induced (HDI) hardening and back stress. Mater. Res. Lett. 7, 393–398 (2019).10.1080/21663831.2019.1616331 ↗
41. Huang, C. X. et al. Interface affected zone for optimal strength and ductility in heterogeneous laminate. Mater. Today 21, 713–719 (2018).10.1016/j.mattod.2018.03.006 ↗
42. Wang, Y. F. et al. Hetero-deformation induced (HDI) hardening does not increase linearly with strain gradient. Scr. Mater. 174, 19–23 (2020).10.1016/j.scriptamat.2019.08.022 ↗
43. Ran, H. et al. Superior strength–ductility combination resulted from hetero-zone boundary affected region in Cu–Fe layered material. J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 181, 209–219 (2024).10.1016/j.jmst.2023.09.027 ↗
44. Gerold, V. & Karnthaler, H. P. On the origin of planar slip in f.c.c alloys. Acta Metall. 37, 2177–2183 (1989).10.1016/0001-6160(89)90143-0 ↗
45. Steffens, T., Schwink, C., Korner, A. & Karnthaler, H. P. Transmission electron microscopy study of the stacking-fault energy and dislocation-structure in CuMn alloys. Philos. Mag. A 56, 161–173 (1987).10.1080/01418618708205159 ↗
46. Ashby, M. F. Work hardening of dispersion-hardened crystals. Philos. Mag. 14, 1157–1178 (1966).10.1080/14786436608224282 ↗
47. Tanaka, K. & Mori, T. Hardening of crystals by non-deforming particles and fibres. Acta Metall. 18, 931–941 (1970).10.1016/0001-6160(70)90020-9 ↗
48. Bouaziz, O., Barbier, D., Embury, J. D. & Badinier, G. An extension of the Kocks–Mecking model of work hardening to include kinematic hardening and its application to solutes in ferrite. Philos. Mag. 93, 247–255 (2013).10.1080/14786435.2012.704419 ↗
49. Yang, M., Pan, Y., Yuan, F., Zhu, Y. & Wu, X. Back stress strengthening and strain hardening in gradient structure. Mater. Res. Lett. 4, 145–151 (2016).10.1080/21663831.2016.1153004 ↗
50. Feaugas, X. On the origin of the tensile flow stress in the stainless steel AISI 316L at 300 K: back stress and effective stress. Acta Mater. 47, 3617–3632 (1999).10.1016/S1359-6454(99)00222-0 ↗
51. Helbert, A. L., Feaugas, X. & Clavel, M. Effects of microstructural parameters and back stress on damage mechanisms in α/β titanium alloys. Acta Mater. 46, 939–951 (1998).10.1016/S1359-6454(97)00288-7 ↗
52. Hong, S. I. & Laird, C. Cyclic deformation-behavior of Cu–16 at.% Al single-crystals. Part III: friction stress and back stress behavior. Mater. Sci. Eng. A 128, 155–169 (1990).10.1016/0921-5093(90)90224-Q ↗
53. Chen, R. et al. Hetero-deformation induced (HDI) stress measurement from the plastic dissipation in the hysteresis loops. Mater. Res. Lett. 13, 248–255 (2025).10.1080/21663831.2024.2441339 ↗
54. Ardeljan, M., Savage, D. J., Kumar, A., Beyerlein, I. J. & Knezevic, M. The plasticity of highly oriented nano-layered Zr/Nb composites. Acta Mater. 115, 189–203 (2016).10.1016/j.actamat.2016.05.058 ↗
55. Wang, Y., Zhu, Y., Yu, Z., Zhao, J. & Wei, Y. Hetero-zone boundary affected region: a primary microstructural factor controlling extra work hardening in heterostructure. Acta Mater. 241, 118395 (2022).10.1016/j.actamat.2022.118395 ↗
56. Dong, X. X., Shen, Y. F. & Zhu, Y. T. Moderating strain hardening rate to produce high ductility and high strength in a medium carbon TRIP steel. Mater. Res. Lett. 11, 69–75 (2023).10.1080/21663831.2022.2116295 ↗
57. Shi, P. et al. Multistage work hardening assisted by multi-type twinning in ultrafine-grained heterostructural eutectic high-entropy alloys. Mater. Today 41, 62–71 (2020).10.1016/j.mattod.2020.09.029 ↗
58. Cao, R. et al. On the exceptional damage-tolerance of gradient metallic materials. Mater. Today 32, 94–107 (2020).10.1016/j.mattod.2019.09.023 ↗