Shearing and rotation of ?? and ?? precipitates in an Al-Mg-Si alloy under tensile deformation: In-situ and ex-situ studies

The interaction between dislocations and nano-precipitates during deformation directly influences hardening response of precipitation-strengthening metals such as Al-Mg-Si alloys. However, how coherent semi-coherent accommodate external applied to an Al alloy remains be elucidated. In-situ tensile experiments in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) were conducted study the dynamic process cutting through needle-like ?? precipitates with diameters 3?8 nm. Comprehensive investigations using in-situ, ex-situ TEM atom probe tomography uncovered that firstly sheared into small fragments, then rotation via sliding along precipitate/matrix interfaces, destroyed their initially interface matrix. In contrast, ?? sizes similar more difficult fragmented accumulation at increased misfit Consequently, could basically maintain shape after deformation. This research gains new insights dislocations.