A Transforming Metal Nanocomposite with Large Elastic Strain, Low Modulus, and High Strength

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Me Most metals show elastic strain limits well below 1%, beyond which permanent plastic deformation occurs. Metal nanowires can be elastically stretched to much higher strains, on the order of 4 to 7%. However, when placed inside a metal matrix to form a composite, these nanowires can no longer be stretched to the same extent, even when the nanowires are well distributed and show good bonding with the matrix. Hao et al. (p. 1191 ; see the Perspective by Zhou ) used a shape memory alloy as the matrix material to produce a much better (more elastic) composite.