Effect of pre-straining on structure and formation mechanism of precipitates in Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloy

The effect of pre-straining on the structure and formation mechanism of precipitates in an Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloy was systematically investigated by atomic resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). Elongated and string-like precipitates are formed along the dislocations in the pre-strained Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloy. The precipitates formed along the dislocations exhibit three features: non-periodic atomic arrangement within the precipitate; Cu segregation occurring at the precipitate/ α (Al) interface; different orientations presented in one individual precipitate. Four different formation mechanisms of these heterogeneous precipitates were proposed as follows: elongated precipitates are formed independently in the dislocation; string-like precipitates are formed directly along the dislocations; different precipitates encounter to form string-like precipitates; precipitates are connected by other phases or solute enrichment regions. These different formation mechanisms are responsible for forming different atomic structures and morphologies of precipitates.