Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and specialized dislocation-density based crystal-plasticity formulations and finite-element schemes were used to investigate the effects of nano-sized precipitates and micro-sized Mn-bearing particles on the behavior of Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys. By accurately representing crystallography and the morphology of the different precipitates, accurate predictions can be obtained that indicate that the nano-sized Ω and θ’ precipitates promote ductility and toughness by inhibiting shear-strain localization; whereas the micro-sized dispersed particles intensify localization. Collectively, the precipitates and dispersed particles, however, promote the strengthening of the alloy.