Anisotropic strength in Cu/Nb nanolaminates: an in situ X-ray microdiffraction study during tensile testing

Accumulative roll bonding (ARB) of metal-metal nanolaminates (NL) is a very promising approaches to fabricate metallic nanomaterials with excellent strength and good ductility. Interface resistance to dislocation transmission is believed to be one of the important mechanisms responsible for these unique properties, but many open questions remain. In recent micro-beam bending and nanoindentation experiments on FCC/BCC Cu/Nb NLs we have shown an anisotropic sliding behavior linked to the strong in-plane texture originating from the ARB process and consistent with MD simulation. The aim of the present experiment is to follow in situ the local stresses and plastic events in Cu/Nb nanolaminates during tensile loading. While previous rare tensile testing experiments have been reported the in situ monitoring of local strain by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) has never been performed. This experiment is a continuation of HC-4460, which was dedicated to in situ shearing of interfaces in ARB NLs.