<i>In situ</i> characterization of tensile behavior of laser rapid solidified Al–Si heterogeneous microstructures

Heterogeneous Al–Si microstructure comprising of sub-micron-scale Al dendrites and nanoscale fibrous eutectic was fabricated by processing as-cast Al-20wt.%Si alloy using laser rapid solidification. In situ tension tests explored high tensile strength (∼600 MPa) ductility (∼10%) strain hardening rate (∼7 GPa). Microstructural characterization revealed the plastic co-deformation mechanisms between soft hard eutectic. The progression plasticity in with increasing applied is accommodated dislocation nano-Al channels cracking Si nanofibers. propagation nano-cracks suppressed surrounding Al, retaining good sample.