Abstract
A Mg-Gd-Y alloy prepared by surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) was annealed at 450 °C combined with peak aging. The deformation and fracture mechanisms were investigated using in situ tensile tests. Through quantitative calculations of the geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) densities, it was found that the fine-grained (FG) layer in the gradient structure carried greater plastic strain than the coarse-grained (CG) layer during tension. The calculation results of the geometric compatibility parameter (m') and microstructure characterization during in situ tests showed that crack initiation and propagation were prone to occur between adjacent coarse grains. However, the hetero-deformation-induced (HDI) strengthening and strain hardening induced by the strain gradient between the FG and CG layers effectively improved the strength-ductility synergy of the gradient-structured (GS) alloy. In addition, the synergistic effect of intrinsic and extrinsic toughening mechanisms in the GS alloy played a significant role in delaying premature failure.