Precipitation imaging of deformation structure of age-hardened alloys

Ageing of supersaturated solid solution of Al 20 wt % Zn alloy after cyclic deformation results in a preferential precipitation of Zn in regions of higher dislocation density. Characteristic inhomogeneities of the deformation structure revealed by this precipitation image correspond well to the surface relief observed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The posibility of using the method of precipitation imaging to study spatial arrangement of high and low dislocation density regions in deformed age-hardened alloys is discussed.