Supriya Koul¹, Le Zhou¹, Yongho Sohn¹, Akihiro Kushima¹; ¹University of Central Florida

With the rapidly expanding interests for directly probing complex nano and atomic-scale dynamics in a broad range of materials and applications, in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is attracting much attention as a crucial tool for developing fundamental insights and formulating design parameters for advanced technologies. Here, we present a unique sample configuration that enables tensile experiment of thin TEM lamellae without undesired off-plane deformations or bending. Since the feature is implemented in the specimen itself, there is no need for special devices offering a flexibility in the material selections and preparations. The method is applied to Inconel 718 and AlSi10Mg alloy as representative selective laser melting (SLM) produced alloys to discover the relationship between the microstructure evolution after heat treatment and the associated changes in the mechanical behavior at nano scale. This analysis provides rich information that can be used to optimize the SLM-produced alloy by controlling the processing parameter.