Microstructural features and mechanical properties of an Al-Mg-Si alloy processed by high-pressure torsion have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, threedimensional atom probe, tensile tests and microhardness measurements. It is shown that HPT processing of the Al-Mg-Si alloy leads to a much stronger grain size refinement than of pure aluminium (down to 100 nm). Moreover, massive segregation of alloying elements along grain boundaries is observed. This nanostructure exhibits a yield stress even two times higher than that after a standard T6 heat treatment of the coarse grained alloy.
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