Fig. 1 GBCD of BM a and TMPed b-e samples with different annealing time of 10 min b, 12 h c, 18 h d, 24 h e

Fig. 2 Comparisons of the fraction of SBs (fSBs) a, ratio (v) of TRD size to grain size b and fJ2/(1-fJ3) c in BM and TMPed samples. Note that, the fJ2 and fJ3 in c refer to the fraction of J2 and J3 junctions, respectively

Fig. 3 Inverse pole figure (IPF) maps a, d, GBCD b, e and corresponding RHAGB network maps c, f of non-GBE a-c and GBE d-f samples

Fig. 4 Comparisons of tensile properties a, b and work hardening rate c, d of non-GBE and GBE samples at different strain rates of 10-2 s−1 a, c and 10-4 s−1 b, d

Fig. 5 The quasi-in situ sequential IPF colored EBSD a-c, GBCD a’-c’ and KAM distribution a’’-c’’ maps in the same spatial location of a single non-GBE sample undeformed a, a’, a’’ and subsequently tensioned to different true strains of 10% b, b’,b’’ and 20% c, c’, c’’ at a strain rate of 10-4 s−1

Fig. 6 The quasi-in situ sequential IPF colored EBSD a-c, GBCD a’-c’ and KAM distribution a’’-c’’ maps in the same spatial location of a single GBE sample undeformed a, a’, a’’ and subsequently tensioned to different true strains of 10% b, b’,b’’ and 20% c, c’, c’’ at a strain rate of 10-4 s−1

Fig. 7 Local misorientation (KAM values) versus relative frequency for the GBE and non-GBE samples tensioned to different true strains of 0, 10% and 20%

Fig. 8 TEM micrographs showing the deformation microstructures near the RHAGBs of non-GBE samples a, c and annealing TBs of GBE samples b, d tensioned to different true strains of 10% a, b and 20% c, d at a high stain rate of 10-2 s−1

Fig. 9 TEM micrographs showing the deformation microstructures near the RHAGBs of non-GBE samples a, c and annealing TBs of GBE samples b, d tensioned to different true strains of 10% a, b and 20% c, d at a low stain rate of 10-4 s−1

Fig. 10 Schematic diagram showing the mechanism for the influence of GBE on the work hardening rate of AL6XN super-ASS