The intrinsic micromechanisms governing microstructure-property relationships for copper and molybdenum nanocrystalline powders are studied. Plasma chemical synthesis technique is used to synthesize powders and plasma and pressure assisted consolidation processes are used to consolidate these powders. An experimental study is conducted to understand intrinsic microstructural effects on stiffness, strength, ductility, deformation, damage, fracture, and asociated failure modes. Nanocrystalline materials are expected to be stronger, tougher, denser, and more easily fabricated than conventional large grain materials leading to the need to characterize these materials.
