Extreme hardening of titanium with colossal interstitial contents of nitrogen and oxygen

Homogenous thin foils of titanium with nitrogen and oxygen in interstitial solid solution were characterized X-ray diffraction, light optical microscopy electron backscatter diffraction. Samples covering the broad solubility ranges O N synthesized. The mechanical properties assessed using nanoindentation related to content, h.c.p. lattice expansion grain orientation. Effects surface pile-up sink-in during adequately accounted for, yielding hardness indentation modulus values for nearly full range concentrations, finding consistency theoretical expressions very limited literature values. hardening/strengthening achieved by colossal alloying correlates change c/a ratio Ti as caused occupancy.