Mechanical Spectroscopy of Nanocrystalline Metals and Nanometer-Thick Films: Characteristic Properties Originated in Nanostructures

Nanocrystalline (n-) Au shows a large internal friction accompanied with the modulus defects above ~200 K. After the creep test, the strong <111> preferred texture changed to rather random one but the mean grain size was unchanged. In situ STM observation indicated that the crystallites can independently move during the creep deformation. Quasi-two phase state composed of solid crystallites and anelastic/viscoelastic grain boundaries (GBs) is proposed to explain these characteristic mechanical properties of n-Au. Further, GBs show the glass-transition-like change at around 200 K, anelastic/viscoelastic transition at ~30 MPa and dynamical state change above ~200 MPa. The high vacancy-type-defect concentration plays an important role on stabilization of the quasi-two phase state in n-Au.