Interaction of Glide Dislocations with Extended Precipitates in Mg-Nd alloys

The unit processes of precipitate-dislocation interaction in dilute Mg-Nd alloys are elucidated through in situ indentation experiments in TEM. Results suggest that pinned dislocations can glide along the broad facets of extended β(1) precipitates, a common strengthening phase in Mg- rare earth (RE) alloys. A dislocation-theory based analysis suggests that the shape, spacing and orientation (with respect to the glide plane) of β(1) precipitates may favor glide of pinned dislocations along interfaces as opposed to the classical mechanism of bowing and looping around the precipitate.