On the transformation-induced work-hardening behavior of Zr47.5Co47.5Al5 ultrafine-grained alloy

The work-hardening behavior of Zr47.5Co47.5Al5 ultrafine-grained alloy, obtained by water-cooled copper mold casting, has been investigated. The Cu- and Ni-free alloy shows high compressive strength combined with large plasticity. The work-hardening behavior and the remarkable enhancement of the ductility and strength origin from the B2 to B33 deformation-induced martensitic transformation associated with the high strength ultra-fine grains. The fracture mode of the alloy is both intergranular and transgranular fracture. Our current finding may offer useful guidelines to design materials with improved strength and ductility as practical engineering and biomedical applications.