Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-02036

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png A 3-GPa ductile martensitic alloy enabled by interface complexes and dislocations

Lv, R.Extern* ; Li, J.Extern* ; Shi, Y. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Dai, S.Extern* ; Wang, S. ; Chen, X.Extern* ; Zhou, X. ; Zhang, F. ; Jiao, M. ; Ma, C. ; Schökel, A.Extern*DESY* ; Wei, S.Extern* ; Ma, Y.Extern* ; Pistidda, C.Extern* ; Lei, Z. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Lu, Z. (Corresponding author)

2026
Nature Publishing Group Basingstoke

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41563-026-02479-9  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2026-02036

Abstract: Ultrahigh-strength bulk alloys with martensitic structures are essential for heavy-duty applications and infrastructure. However, they often contain small-angle grain boundaries (SAGBs), which enhance ductility but weaken resistance to dislocation motion. This limitation restricts tensile strength to below 2.5 GPa, even when nanoprecipitates or hierarchical architectures are introduced. Here we overcome this limitation by developing a near-single-phase martensitic alloy with a tensile strength exceeding 3 GPa. In the model (Fe$_{49}$Co$_{40}$Mo$_{11}$)$_{99.6}$B$_{0.3}$C$_{0.1}$ (at.%) alloy, cold rolling followed by low-temperature annealing introduces a high density of dislocations and drives Mo, C and B atoms to cosegregate at the SAGBs, forming interface complexes. These complexes stabilize the SAGBs, reinforce barriers to dislocation motion and still permit dislocation transmission across boundaries. As a result, the alloy achieves a tensile yield strength of 3.05 GPa and a fracture elongation of 5.13%, setting a benchmark for ultrahigh-strength, ductile alloys. This simple, scalable process integrates seamlessly with existing manufacturing methods and opens a path to next-generation structural materials.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)
2. PETRA-D (FS-PETRA-D)
3. Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Hereon)

Research Program(s):

1. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)
2. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P02.1 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DEAL Nature ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 40 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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