Nano-scale characterisation of sheared β precipitates in a deformed Al-Mg-Si alloy

This paper compares the nano-scale structure of beta precipitates in a peak-aged Al-Mg-Si alloy before and after deformation. Three complementary advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques are used to reveal the structures and elucidate the interaction between dislocations and beta precipitates. We show that the needle-like and semi-coherent beta precipitates are sheared several times on different planes by dislocations during deformation, with no indications that they are bypassed or looped. Our results show that dislocations cut through precipitates and leave behind planar defects lying on planes inclined to 100 directions inside the precipitates. The results also indicate that precipitates are sheared in single steps, and the implication of this observation is discussed in terms of slip behaviour.