Analysis of kink boundaries in deformed synchronized long-period stacking ordered magnesium alloys

• We discussed how the structures of the kinks can be influenced by the dislocations.
• We found wedge-shaped kinks in the Mg–Zn–Y alloy.
• Wedge-shaped kinks were proven to have Zn/Y-rich kink bands.
• Zn/Y-rich bands are caused by the introduction of a greater number of dislocations.
• Mg-rich bands form because dislocations are introduced only at the fcc layers.

Microstructures of kink boundaries in a magnesium–zinc–yttrium (Mg–Zn–Y) alloy were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Wedge-shaped kinks with high angle kink boundaries have been found in Mg–Zn–Y alloys due to deformation of the long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase. It has been found that wedge-shaped kinks have several Zn/Y-rich sub-kink boundaries, since more dislocations are introduced in both hcp and fcc structures of the LPSO phase due to further compression.