Yielding and strain hardening of thin metal films on substrates

The author has shown that the very high strengths and high strain hardening rates exhibited by thin metal films on substrates can be understood by considering the effects of confinement on the motion of dislocations. Both the substrate and passivation and the obstacle dislocations already present in the film narrow the channels through which dislocations can move and this leads to very significant strengthening and strain hardening.