The shearable–non-shearable transition in Al–Mg–Si–Cu precipitation hardening alloys: implications on the distribution of slip, work hardening and fracture

A systematic study has been conducted to evaluate the nature of the dislocation–precipitate interaction and its relationship to the mechanical properties for a commercial Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloy. A variety of experimental techniques employed including transmission electron microscopy, slip line observations and macroscopic work hardening behaviour. The results from this work indicate that a clear transition in macroscopic behaviour of the alloy can …