Strengthening mechanism of gradient nanostructured body-centred cubic iron film: From inverse Hall-Petch to classic Hall-Petch

Gradient-nanograined metals with high strength-ductility synergy would be used in applications of advanced coating materials. An in-depth understanding of their strengthening mechanisms plays a key role in the widespread use of gradient-nanograined structure for industrial area. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations, we report the plastic deformation response of gradient-nanograined metals, which depend on the three conditions: (1) the...