Quantitative estimation of kink-band strengthening in an Mg-Zn-Y single crystal with LPSO nanoplates

IMPACT STATEMENT By the quantitative estimation using the single crystal, the origin of the anomalous ability of kink bands acting as barriers that hinder the motion of dislocation was elucidated. Kink-band strengthening was first quantitatively evaluated using an Mg-Zn-Y single crystal containing long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) nanoplates. The ability of a kink-band boundary to act as a barrier that hinders the motion of dislocations is high and comparable to that of a general random grain boundary. Nevertheless, a kink-band boundary is regarded as a simple tilt boundary in the dislocation model. One reason for the anomalous ability of kink-band boundary acting as barriers is related to its peculiar hierarchical structure, in which many small kink bands with high crystal rotation angles accumulate in a localized region.

Automated summary

This study quantitatively evaluated the kink-band strengthening using a Mg-Zn-Y single crystal, revealing the origin of the anomalous ability of kink bands acting as barriers to dislocation motion. The high ability of a kink-band boundary to hinder dislocation motion is attributed to its peculiar hierarchical structure, where many small kink bands with high crystal rotation angles accumulate in a localized region.