EBSD characterization of cavitation during superplastic deformation of Al–Li alloy

The cavitation microstructure of an Al–Li alloy was characterized using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The results showed clear evidence of the correlation between grain boundary sliding and cavity development. It is proposed that the stress concentrations arising at boundary irregularities such as second-phase particles, boundary ledges, and triple junctions were responsible for the development of cavitation at the high angle boundary between two groups of grains and that sliding takes place as a unit.