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A material with electrically tunable strength and flow stress
Publikationstyp
Journal Article
Date Issued
2011-06-03
Sprache
English
Author(s)
Journal
Volume
332
Issue
6034
Start Page
1179
End Page
1182
Citation
Science / AAAS 332 (6034): 1179-1182 (2011)
Publisher DOI
Scopus ID
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The selection of a structural material requires a compromise between strength and ductility. The material properties will then be set by the choice of alloy composition and microstructure during synthesis and processing, although the requirements may change during service life. Materials design strategies that allow for a recoverable tuning of the mechanical properties would thus be desirable, either in response to external control signals or in the form of a spontaneous adaptation, for instance in self-healing. We have designed a material that has a hybrid nanostructure consisting of a strong metal backbone that is interpenetrated by an electrolyte as the second component. By polarizing the internal interface via an applied electric potential, we accomplish fast and repeatable tuning of yield strength, flow stress, and ductility. The concept allows the user to select, for instance, a soft and ductile state for processing and a high-strength state for service as a structural material.
DDC Class
600: Technik
620: Ingenieurwissenschaften