Direct observation of deformation-induced grain growth during the nanoindentation of ultrafine-grained Al at room temperature

In situ nanoindentation within a transmission electron microscope is used to investigate the deformation mechanisms in ultrafine-grained Al films. Deformation-induced grain growth resulting from grain boundary migration, grain rotation and grain coalescence is commonly observed as the indentation proceeds. In situ studies of nanograined films suggest that the same mechanisms are operative, though the difficulty of imaging nanosized grains makes the evidence less clear. The results suggest that grain growth and coalescence are important modes of response in the deformation of ultrafine- and nanograined materials. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.