Strain Mapping of Al–Mg Alloy with Multi-scale Grain Structure using Digital Image Correlation Method

B. Ahn*, S. R. Nutt 1. Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0241, USA *[email protected] Abstract: Al–Mg alloy powder was mechanically milled in liquid N2 (cryomilling) to produce thermally stable powder with nanocrystalline (NC) microstructure for the manufacture of highstrength alloys. A multi-scale microstructure was achieved by blending unmilled coarse-grained (CG) powder with cryomilled powder and subsequently consolidating. The final bulk alloy was comprised of ultra-fine grained (UFG) regions and discrete CG bands. Dynamic observations of tensile deformation of the alloy were recorded using a micro-straining module attached to a light microscope, and the displacements were measured by digital image correlation (DIC). Strain inhomogeneity between UFG regions and ductile CG bands was observed in the micro-strain (strain order of 10–10) range, and the strain behavior was interpreted in terms of dislocation plasticity. Special emphasis was given to the distinct displacements between adjoining regions during deformation.