Cryoforged nanotwinned titanium with ultrahigh strength and ductility

Titanium gets some twins Introducing a network of nanotwins is known to improve the properties of face-centered cubic metal alloys. Zhao et al . used gentle compression in liquid nitrogen to introduce a similar network of nanotwins in hexagonal closed-packed titanium. By starting with a titanium that has little oxygen, the twin network can be more easily established. The nanotwinned network improved the yield strength by 50% and ductility by 20% at room temperature. The cryogenic properties were even better, with a yield strength of two gigapascals and a tensile ductility of 100% before failure. —BG