Two aluminium alloys (5182 and 6016) were deformed up to similar strain levels using various methods. The dislocation structures depend on the deformation path applied, the alloy composition, and the stability of the grain orientations. Monotonic deformation leads to the formation of well-developed dense dislocation walls. Deformation in the reversed direction causes a partial destruction of the previously formed dislocation structures. Orthogonal deformation promotes the localization of plastic deformation within microbands. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.