Tem Observation of Precipitates in Ag-Added Al-Mg-Si Alloys

The influence of addition of the small amount of transition metals to Al-Mg-Si alloy had reported by many researchers. In the previous our work, β′ phase in alloys Al — 1.0 mass% Mg₂Si -0.5 mass% Ag (Ag-addition) and Al -1.0 mass% Mg₂Si (base) were investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), in order to understand the effect of Ag. In addition, the distribution of Ag was investigated by energy filtered mapping and high annular angular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). One Ag-containing atomic column was observed per β’ unit cell, and the unit cell symmetry is slightly changed as compared with the Ag-free β’. In this work, the microstructure of G.P. zone and β’’ phase was investigated by TEM observation, which were formed before β’ phase. The deformed sample by high pressure torsion (HPT) technique before aging was also investigated to understand its effect for aging in this alloy.