Abstract: High-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-based metallic systems, and methods of making, are presented herein. A ternary high-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-based metallic system includes: a solvent of copper (Cu) metal; that comprises 50 to 95 atomic percent (at. %) of the metallic system; a first solute metal dispersed in the solvent that comprises 0.01 to 50 at. % of the metallic system; and a second solute metal dispersed in the solvent that comprises 0.01 to 50 at. % of the metallic system. The internal grain size of the solvent is suppressed to no more than 250 nm at 98% of the melting point temperature of the solvent and the solute metals remain uniformly dispersed in the solvent at that temperature. Processes for forming these metallic systems include: subjecting powder metals to a high-energy milling process, and consolidating the resultant powder metal subjected to the milling to form a bulk material.

Abstract: High-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-based metallic systems, and methods of making, are presented herein. A ternary high-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-based metallic system includes: a solvent of copper (Cu) metal; that comprises 50 to 95 atomic percent (at. %) of the metallic system; a first solute metal dispersed in the solvent that comprises 0.01 to 50 at. % of the metallic system; and a second solute metal dispersed in the solvent that comprises 0.01 to 50 at. % of the metallic system. The internal grain size of the solvent is suppressed to no more than 250 nm at 98% of the melting point temperature of the solvent and the solute metals remain uniformly dispersed in the solvent at that temperature. Processes for forming these metallic systems include: subjecting powder metals to a high-energy milling process, and consolidating the resultant powder metal subjected to the milling to form a bulk material.

Abstract: High-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-based metallic systems, and methods of making, are presented herein. A ternary high-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-based metallic system includes: a solvent of copper (Cu) metal; that comprises 50 to 95 atomic percent (at. %) of the metallic system; a first solute metal dispersed in the solvent that comprises 0.01 to 50 at. % of the metallic system; and a second solute metal dispersed in the solvent that comprises 0.01 to 50 at. % of the metallic system. The internal grain size of the solvent is suppressed to no more than 250 nm at 98% of the melting point temperature of the solvent and the solute metals remain uniformly dispersed in the solvent at that temperature. Processes for forming these metallic systems include: subjecting powder metals to a high-energy milling process, and consolidating the resultant powder metal subjected to the milling to form a bulk material.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for safely depressurizing milling vials. The invention utilizes a machinist vise in communication with a pneumatic air cylinder mounted in a jig inside glove box enclosure. The invention utilizes a method for safely depressurizing milling vials. The milling vials are placed into the machinist vise inside the enclosure. The ram of the pneumatic air cylinder is placed on top of the milling vial and the pneumatic air cylinder is pressed firmly against the cap of the milling vial. Next, the air inside the enclosure is evacuated of atmosphere after which the pressure is slowly released from the pneumatic air cylinder. During this stage of the method the operator is a safe distance from the enclosure. As pressure is removed from the pneumatic air cylinder the ram is retracted and the cap of milling vial is removed.

Abstract: Nanostructured or ultra-fine grained metallic systems according to embodiments of the invention may be formed of: pure Cu, pure Fe, or pure Ti, with grain sizes of less than 140 nm, 348 nm, or 59 nm, respectively. The metallic systems demonstrate a monotonically increasing grain size dependence from a minimum value attained at the surface; and a converse relation of microhardness, decreasing from 160 kg/mm2, 265 kg/mm2, or 320 kg/mm2, respectively. The grain refinement process at cryogenic conditions relies on the suppression of room temperature dislocation-mediated deformation mechanisms which facilitate grain restructuring, relaxation, and reorientation. At the cryogenic conditions, alternative mechanism for grain refinement, such as shear localization or dynamic recrystallization may be more dominant.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for safely depressurizing milling vials. The invention utilizes a machinist vise in communication with a pneumatic air cylinder mounted in a jig inside glove box enclosure. The invention utilizes a method for safely depressurizing milling vials. The milling vials are placed into the machinist vise inside the enclosure. The ram of the pneumatic air cylinder is placed on top of the milling vial and the pneumatic air cylinder is pressed firmly against the cap of the milling vial. Next, the air inside the enclosure is evacuated of atmosphere after which the pressure is slowly released from the pneumatic air cylinder. During this stage of the method the operator is a safe distance from the enclosure. As pressure is removed from the pneumatic air cylinder the ram is retracted and the cap of milling vial is removed.

Abstract: High-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-based metallic systems, and methods of making, are presented herein. A ternary high-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-based metallic system includes: a solvent of copper (Cu) metal; that comprises 50 to 95 atomic percent (at. %) of the metallic system; a first solute metal dispersed in the solvent that comprises 0.01 to 50 at. % of the metallic system; and a second solute metal dispersed in the solvent that comprises 0.01 to 50 at. % of the metallic system. The internal grain size of the solvent is suppressed to no more than 250 nm at 98% of the melting point temperature of the solvent and the solute metals remain uniformly dispersed in the solvent at that temperature. Processes for forming these metallic systems include: subjecting powder metals to a high-energy milling process, and consolidating the resultant powder metal subjected to the milling to form a bulk material.