Quantifying the strain-induced dissolution of precipitates in Al alloy microstructures using nuclear magnetic resonance

Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been used for the first time to directly monitor the dynamic partitioning of Cu atoms from shearable precipitates into the solid solution as a function of straining at room temperature in two Al–Cu-based alloys. Al–3Cu–0.05Sn (wt.%) and Al–2.5Mg–1.5Cu (wt.%) alloys were heat-treated to provide a fine distribution of ∼5 nm Guinier–Preston (GP) zones and