Abstract

Experiments were conducted on the Zn-22 wt% Al eutectoid that contained nanometre-scale dispersion particles. These particles were introduced in the matrix of the alloy via powder metallurgy followed by cryomilling. Transmission electron microscopy observations made on specimens crept at a strain rate near the centre of the superplastic region reveal clear evidence for lattice dislocation activities during superplastic flow. Such evidence is demonstrated in part by the presence of attractive particle-dislocation interactions that are only noted in some of the grains. It is suggested that each one of these grains serves as an obstacle for a group of grains sliding together as a unit. In addition, the configurations of the lattice dislocations in the interiors of the blocking grains are suggestive of viscous glide and single slip in the blocking grain. Combining the present findings with earlier observations reported for superplastic deformation leads to the conclusion that the generation and movement of lattice dislocations provide an accommodation process for grain-boundary sliding