This paper reviews research work at the Institute for Materials and Advance
d Processes, University of Idaho, on the synthesis of nanocrystalline mater
ials and their consolidation. Nanocrystalline materials have been synthesis
ed by a number of 'far from equilibrium' processes including mechanical all
oying (MA), mechanochemical processing (MCP), supercritical fluid processin
g (SCFP), and severe plastic deformation (SPD), Examples of the materials i
nclude the TiAl based intermetallic compounds and composites produced by MA
and SPD, Ti base alloys and metal carbides synthesised by MCP, thin film C
u produced by SCFP, and Al-Fe alloys produced by SPD. Details of the proces
ses used and the enhancement of properties owing to the nanoscale structure
s in consolidated material will be presented. The potential of these proces
ses to substitute for conventional methods of production will also be discu
ssed.