Heterostructured alloys with enhanced strength-ductility synergy through laser-cladding

Heterostructuring has recently become a popular option to provide an excellent combination of strength and ductility in alloys. However, its production is a challenging multi-step process. In this study, we propose a simple process to develop heterostructured alloys by laser-cladding a thin layer of an identical material on the surface of the wrought material. The heterostructured laser-clad wrought samples exhibited enhanced strength and ductility compared to monolithic laser-clad and wrought 316L stainless steels. The enhanced twinning activity localized in the coating region generated high mechanical incompatibility. The hetero-deformation-induced strengthening of the heterostructured laser-clad samples resulted in an enhanced strength-ductility synergy. This approach is straightforward and viable for laser-clad available materials. This study presents a new direction for the use of laser-cladding to produce a heterostructurally-designed alloy with superior strength-ductility synergy.