Texture evolution of magnesium alloy AZ31 during high temperature tensile deformation

Tensile tests at 450 degrees C and 1 x 10(-3) s(-1) were conducted on an AZ31 alloy with an average grain size of 7.28 mu m. At strains of 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45, microstructures and textures were examined and analyzed to investigate grain and texture evolution. The experimental results show that with the strain increase, the average grain size slightly increases; the initial basal texture gradually weakens, while the prismatic and pyramidal textures develop. Schmid factors were calculated for the representative slip systems based on their Euler angles and orientation. Some atypical textures show up at the low strain of 0.15. The initial basal texture becomes discontinuous and a twin texture of (01 (1) over bar1)[0 (1) over bar 12] appears at the strain of 0.30. At the high strain of 0.45, the initial basal texture significantly weakens, and a strong pyramidal texture of (02 (2) over bar5) [9 (6) over bar(3) over bar1] appears.