Superplastic deformation mechanisms of an Al–Mg–Li alloy with banded microstructures

The superplastic deformation behaviors and the evolution processes of the microstructures of an Al–Mg–Li alloy with initial banded grains were studied by means of SEM, EBSD, TEM and FIB techniques. Furthermore, the contribution of GBS and IDS of true strain from 0.21 to 0.74 was quantitatively calculated. The results showed that during the stretching process, the initial banded grains were transformed into equiaxed grains, accompanied by dynamic recrystallization. Dynamic recrystallization refined the grain size, increased the high-angle grain boundaries and reduced the texture. The true stress-strain curve showed work hardening and strain softening. At the initial stage of superplastic deformation, dislocations accumulated obviously, which counteracted the softening effect caused by dynamic recrystallization. Moreover, in this stage, the IDS was the dominant deformation mechanism, with a maximum contribution of 62.3%. In the strain softening stage, the change of m value showed that GBS was the dominant deformation mechanism, and DC and IDS were accommodation mechanisms.