In-situ microcompression study of nanostructured Mg alloy micropillars

•We report high strength and ductile nanostructured Mg micropillars.•In-situ SEM microcompression tests are performed.•The deformation mechanisms at ε=10% are studied by HRTEM.•Basal plane sliding and contraction twinning are the mechanisms involved.

We report the compressive results of nanostructured Mg micropillars. Using in-situ scanning electron microscopy microcompression tests, we directly study the mechanical behavior of nanostructured Mg90Al10 (wt%) alloys that have been processed by cryomilling and spark plasma sintering. Compressive yield strength of 320 MPa and an elongation at failure higher than 12% was achieved. Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that basal plane sliding and contraction twins are the deformation mechanisms involved in the shear band that occurs at 10% of strain.