In situ heating TEM observations of evolving nanoscale Al‐Mg‐Si‐Cu precipitates

Abstract

This research concerns the precipitation and subsequent dissolution of precipitate phases in an Al–0.86Mg–0.62Si–0.1Cu (at.%) alloy subjected to varying thermal exposure during an in situ heating transmission electron microscope (TEM) experiment. The distribution and crystal structure of precipitates were determined by a scanning diffraction approach at multiple stages, pinpointing the precipitates that underwent phase transformations during heating. Obtained results were compared with TEM studies of the material heated ex situ. This revealed differences in the transformation kinetics of precipitates in an electron transparent lamella (thickness 90 nm) to that of macroscopic bulk specimens.