Effect of microstructures and textures on the anisotropy of mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets subjected to high strain rate rolling

The AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets with different microstructures and textures were produced by high strain rate rolling (HSRR) at various temperatures and strain rates. Tensile tests were carried out on AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets along rolling direction (RD), transverse direction (TD) and 45 degrees along the rolling direction (45 degrees RD) at room temperature. The microstructures and textures were determined. The Schmid factors (SFs) contour lines were also calculated. The tilt angle of the c-axis towards the RD affects the anisotropy of tensile strength. For the AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets subjected to relatively low strain rate rolling, the anisotropy of yield strength is comparatively obvious, due to the elongated grains. When the loading direction is close to basal plane, prismatic slip is not favored during tension deformation at room temperature. The anisotropy of yield strength mainly depends on the critical resolved shear stress/Schmid factor (CRSS/m) ratios of second-order (2nd-order) pyramidal slip.