The class of hexagonal close packed (HCP) metals, such as Mg and Ti, has great potential for commercialization in applications needing combinations of high strength or stiffness, low density (low weight), and resistance to extreme conditions.
Over the past two decades, bimetallic nanolayered materials have been the focus of intense investigation due to their enhanced properties. These properties include improved radiation damage resistance, thermal stability, and high hardness and strength.
In-situ characterization, atomic-scale simulation and theoretical works on bimetal interfaces have collectively revealed that interface structure profoundly affects dislocation nucleation, dislocation transmission, dislocation recovery (annihilation), and twinning dislocation nucleation.
Microstructural evolution of multi-phase materials involves multiple defects and interfaces, operating over time periods and length scales much longer than those that can be assessed by a single computational model alone.