While intermetallic (IM)-metal interfaces in metallic alloys are critical for tuning mechanical properties, they can also act as failure sites, underscoring the importance of determining their strength. This study reports on a novel microshear geometry, and demonstrates its applicability for testing the strength and deformation behavior of IM-metal interfaces in Mg-Al-Ca alloys, a key material for light weight automotive applications. The shear tests are applied to a model bi-layered system grown by magnetron sputtering, comprising of a CaMg2 film deposited onto a Mg layer. A parametric study was performed using finite element modeling to optimize the specimen dimensions. Subsequently, in situ microshear tests conducted inside a scanning electron microscope revealed an interface shear strength of ~136 MPa, and provided insights into the stages of deformation progression. Post mortem examination of the sheared interface revealed an irregular surface indicating ductile deformation at room temperature.
@article{arxiv.2412.12913,
title = {Microscale deformation of intermetallic-Mg interface under shear loading},
author = {Anwesha Kanjilal and Shamsa Aliramaji and Deborah Neuß and Marcus Hans and Jochen M. Schneider and James P. Best and Gerhard Dehm},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2412.12913},
year = {2024}
}