The paper deals with mechanical properties of nanocrystalline materials (MNK) with special consideration of bulk nanocrystalline metals. The study based on literature reports and author’s own experiments. The definition of MNK was analyzed. It was suggested to use the dominating deformation mechanism as a criterion of the materials classification.

Fundamental deformation mechanisms were described with special attention to characteristic features of MNK deformation. Influence of nanostructure on mechanical properties was described, i.e. on modulus of elasticity, ductility, hardness, yield and tensile strength, fracture toughness and fatigue strength. Methods of structure modification to achieve improvement of strength, ductility and fracture toughness were proposed. The following were suggested as the most promising methods: modification of materials structure by means of alloying or by severe plastic deformation connected with heat treatment of the materials; production of a hybrid microstructures; improvement of the materials’ ability of dislocation emission and mechanical twinning by alloying causing so that unstable stacking fault energy and unstable twinning energy decreases.

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