Nanocrystalline metals crystallized from amorphous solids: nanocrystallization, structure, and properties

Polycrystalline materials with nanometer-sized grains, termed nanocrystalline materials, can be formed by crystallizing completely amorphous solids under proper heat treatment conditions. The crystallized nanocrystalline materials exhibit some unique structural characteristics and novel properties which are fundamentally different from those of the conventional coarse-grained polycrystalline materials. This article reviews the present state of the art in this field. The current status of research and developments on the nanocrystallization, microstructure and properties of the materials will be summarized. Comparisons of structural characteristics and properties are made between the crystallized nanocrystalline materials and those prepared by other methods. Further considerations of the development and applications of this new class of materials will also be presented.