EBSD study of superplasticity: New insight into a well-known phenomenon

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was applied to investigate the superplastic behavior of a fine-grain Al-Mg-Li alloy. It was found that microstructural changes were noticeably influenced by the occurrence of continuous dynamic recrystallization. This mechanism involved a transverse subdivision of pre-elongated grains which eventually transformed into chains of nearly-equiaxed grains. A body of experimental observations, including extensive strain hardening, marked grain elongation, the formation of pronounced substructure in interior regions of grains, and the development of crystallographic texture, provided strong evidence of large amounts of intragranular slip operating during superplastic flow. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The application of Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) revealed that microstructural changes in a fine-grain Al-Mg-Li alloy during superplastic behavior were significantly influenced by continuous dynamic recrystallization. This mechanism involved the transverse subdivision of pre-elongated grains transforming into chains of nearly-equiaxed grains. Experimental observations, including significant strain hardening, grain elongation, and the development of crystallographic texture, provided strong evidence of intragranular slip operating during superplastic flow.