TEM study of microstructure development during low-cycle fatigue of an overaged Al-Mg-Si alloy

The evolution of dislocation structure during room-temperature, uniaxial, low-cycle fatigue of an overaged Al-Mg-Si alloy is studied. Ageing at 450°C produces a fine dispersion of Mg2Si precipitate particles. During fully reversed strain-controlled cyclic tests, these fine particles restrict deformation to local regions and a stable dislocation substructure is developed early in fatigue life. Substructural observations of hardening and …