Single-crystal plasticity of the complex metallic alloy phase β-Al–Mg

We have determined the macroscopic plastic deformation behaviour of high-quality single-crystalline samples of the complex metallic alloy β-Al–Mg. Uniaxial deformation experiments at a constant strain rate of 10−4 s−1 were performed at temperatures between 200 and 375 °C. The material exhibits ductile behaviour down to temperatures of 225 °C. At this temperature an upper yield stress of 780 MPa was observed, which is a very high value compared to commercial Al–Mg alloys. The upper yield point is followed by an almost constant flow stress level up to strains of about 6%. Stress-relaxation tests and temperature changes were carried out in order to determine the thermodynamic activation parameters of the deformation process.