  Liquid-metal infiltrated Cu30Mo70 (weigth percentage) is subjected to severe
plastic deformation using high pressure torsion. The initially equiaxed dual
phase structure is gradually transformed into a lamellar structure composed of
individual Cu and Mo layers. The thickness of the lamellae varies between the
micrometer and nanometer ranges depending on the amount of applied strain.
Consistent with the refinement of the microstructural features, strength and
hardness substantially increase. In addition, an acceptable ductility is found
in the intermediate deformation range. An assessment of the damage tolerance of
the produced composites is performed by measuring the fracture toughness in
different crack propagation directions. The results indicate the development of
a pronounced anisotropy with increasing degree of deformation which is an
effect of the concurrent alignment of the nanostructured lamellar composite
into the shear plane.
