Multiscale characterization of dislocation processes in Al 5754

<div><p>Multiscale characterization was performed on an Al–Mg alloy, Al 5754 O-temper, including <i>in situ</i> mechanical deformation in both the scanning electron microscope and the transmission electron microscope. Scanning electron microscopy characterization showed corresponding inhomogeneity in the dislocation and Mg distribution, with higher levels of Mg correlating with elevated levels of dislocation density. At the nanoscale, <i>in situ</i> transmission electron microscopy straining experiments showed that dislocation propagation through the Al matrix is characterized by frequent interactions with obstacles smaller than the imaging resolution that resulted in the formation of dislocation debris in the form of dislocation loops. <i>Post</i>-<i>mortem</i> chemical characterization and comparison to dislocation loop behaviour in an Al–Cr alloy suggests that these obstacles are small Mg clusters. Previous theoretical work and indirect experimental evidence have suggested that these Mg nanoclusters are important factors contributing to strain instabilities in Al–Mg alloys. This study provides direct experimental characterization of the interaction of glissile dislocations with these nanoclusters and the stress needed for dislocations to overcome them.</p></div

The effect of size on dislocation cell formation and strain hardening in aluminium

<div><p>The formation of dislocation cells has a significant impact on the strain hardening behaviour of metals. Dislocation cells can form in metals with a characteristic size defined by three-dimensional tangles of dislocations that serve as “walls” and less dense internal regions. It has been proposed that inhibiting the formation of dislocation cells could improve the strain hardening behaviour of metals such as Al. Here we employ <i>in situ</i> scanning electron microscope compression testing of pure Al single crystal pillars with physical dimensions larger, close to and smaller than the reported cell size in Al, respectively, to investigate the possible size effect on the formation of dislocation cell and the consequent change of mechanical properties. We observed that the formation of dislocation cells is inhibited as the pillar size decreases to a critical value and simultaneously both the strength and the strain hardening behaviour become strongly enhanced. This phenomenon is discussed in terms of the effect of dimensional restriction on the formation of dislocation cells. The reported mechanism could be applied in polycrystalline Al where the tunable physical dimension could be grain size instead of sample size, providing insight into Al alloy design.</p></div

The Nanostructured Origin of Deformation Twinning

We have revealed the fundamental embryonic structure of deformation twins using in situ mechanical testing of magnesium single crystals in a transmission electron microscope. This structure consists of an array of twin-related laths on the scale of several nanometers. A computational model demonstrates that this structure should be a generic feature at the incipient stage of deformation twinning when there are correlated nucleation events. Our results shed light on the origin of twinning-induced plasticity and transformation toughening, critical to the development of advanced structural alloys with high strength, ductility, and toughness

The Nanostructured Origin of Deformation Twinning

We have revealed the fundamental embryonic structure of deformation twins using in situ mechanical testing of magnesium single crystals in a transmission electron microscope. This structure consists of an array of twin-related laths on the scale of several nanometers. A computational model demonstrates that this structure should be a generic feature at the incipient stage of deformation twinning when there are correlated nucleation events. Our results shed light on the origin of twinning-induced plasticity and transformation toughening, critical to the development of advanced structural alloys with high strength, ductility, and toughness

The Nanostructured Origin of Deformation Twinning

We have revealed the fundamental embryonic structure of deformation twins using in situ mechanical testing of magnesium single crystals in a transmission electron microscope. This structure consists of an array of twin-related laths on the scale of several nanometers. A computational model demonstrates that this structure should be a generic feature at the incipient stage of deformation twinning when there are correlated nucleation events. Our results shed light on the origin of twinning-induced plasticity and transformation toughening, critical to the development of advanced structural alloys with high strength, ductility, and toughness