Ultrahigh strength copper obtained by surface mechanical attrition treatment at cryogenic temperature

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of dynamic recovery on the mechanical properties of copper (Cu) during surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) at both room temperature (RT) and cryogenic temperature (CT). Copper sheets were processed by SMAT at RT and at CT for 5, 15, and 30 min, respectively. The Cu samples after SMAT at RT for 30 min exhibited better ductility but lower strength than the samples after SMAT at CT for 30 min due to dynamic recovery. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that decreasing temperature during SMAT led to an increase in the twin and dislocation densities. In addition, a thicker gradient structure layer with finer grains was obtained in the SMAT-processed Cu samples at CT than at RT. The results indicated that SMAT at CT can effectively suppress the occurring of dynamic recovery and produce ultrahigh strength pure copper without seriously sacrificing its ductility.