EN
Ultrafine-grained structure with grain size of about 100 nm was obtained in nickel by deformation under a pressure of 7 GPa in Bridgman anvils. The structure evolution in ultrafine-grained nickel was studied by residual resistance, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and microhardness measurements. It was established that the evolution of the structure upon heating of ultrafine-grained nickel may be divided into three stages. Stage A corresponds to temperatures below 453 K and is characterised by an insignificant decrease in the resistivity and microhardness. At this stage, a decrease in the internal stresses is not accompanied by grain growth. Stage B, corresponding to the temperatures range of 453-513 K, is characterised by an abrupt decrease in the resistivity and hardness, disappearance of the internal stresses, and by an intense grain growth. Stage C (above 523 K) corresponds to an insignificant increase in the resistivity and further decrease in the hardness.