Enhanced mechanical and magnetic properties of granular metal thin films

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Abstract
The mechanical properties of Ag‐Al2O3 and Ni‐Al2O3 granular metal films, as well as the magnetic behavior of the nickel‐based films, is presented. Enhancements in the mechanical properties of these materials, as measured by low load indentation techniques, were observed for a metal volume fraction p of about 0.55. This volume fraction corresponded to the percolation threshold pc as determined from the magnetic measurements. A peak in the compliance as a function of p was observed, similar to elastic anomalies reported for small bilayer period superlattices. A discontinuity in the rate of change of hardness as a function of p was also observed, and believed to result from a change in deformation mechanism at pc.