In situ TEM compression testing of Mg and Mg–0.2 wt.% Ce single crystals

We present results from in situ transmission electron microscopy uniaxial nanocompression experiments of Mg and Mg–0.2 wt.% Ce pillars. We show examples of two common deformation mechanisms, basal plane sliding and extension twinning, for each sample. By directly measuring the critical stress for nucleation of either basal sliding or extension twinning we have established that there is a clear size effect for both deformation mechanisms, and that by alloying with Ce the critical stress for twinning was dramatically reduced.