Simulation of texture evolution and deformation mechanism in Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy during uniaxial compression

The effects of starting texture on he flow curves, and microstructure and texture evolutions of AZ31 (Mg-3Al-1Zn-0.3Mn in wt.%) alloy during uniaxial compression at room temperature have been investigated by experiments and simulations. Two kinds of cylindrical compression samples were cut from the AZ31 extruded rod: one was cut with the compression direction parallel to the extruded direction (ED), and the other was cut with the compression axis perpendicular to the ED. The samples were termed as C//ED sample and C⊥ED sample, respectively. The results indicate that the general characteristics of flow curves and texture evolutions in both C⊥ED and C//ED samples during compression can be well explained by the relative activities of deformation mechanisms, which show a strong orientation dependence on the initial textures and the current texture. A significant yield behavior can be induced by {10-12} twinning at the starting deformation, and the lower yield stress in C⊥ ED sample can be enhanced by the high activity of basal <a> slip. The work hardening behavior is related to the activities of basal slip, pyramidal <c+a> slip, {10-12} twinning, as well as {10-11} twinning. However, the activity of prismatic <a> slip is insensitive to the starting texture, and mostly negligible in all samples.