Atomic-scale three-dimensional structural characterisation of twin interface in Mg alloys

Twinning plays important role in plastic deformation of Mg alloys. However, it is difficult to obtain full information on twinning structures through transmission electron microscope observations. Here, we developed a new method to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of a twin boundary. The {101¯2} twin was observed from three directions, i.e. the [112¯0], [202¯1], and [42¯2¯3] zone axes, in order to establish the atomic model of the boundary. Additionally, we propose that the observed directions for {101¯1} and {101¯3} twins should be [112¯3] & [101¯1] and [21¯1¯1] & [51¯4¯3], respectively.