ARTICLES COMPRISING HETEROGENEOUS AND THERMALLY STABLE GRAIN-REFINED ALLOYS

Articles including anisotropic electrodeposited layers of fine-grained alloys of Co, Cu, Fe, Ni and/or Zn with minor additions of B, O, P and S that provide high strength, ductility and heat-resistance, are disclosed as well as a process for making the articles. Non-metallic additions of ≤2% are required to significantly increase the maximum temperature at which softening and grain-growth occurs. Electrodeposition conditions in a single plating cell are adjusted and/or modulated to vary at least one property in the deposit direction and/or along the length and/or width of the workpiece once, constantly or repeatedly, to form a graded and/or layered electrodeposit. Variable property metallic material deposits containing, at least in part, a fine-grained microstructure and variable property in the deposit direction and optionally multi-dimensionally, provide superior overall mechanical properties and temperature stability. Various methods and electroplating apparatuses and approaches to practice the invention are also provided.