Compressive behavior and constitutive analysis of AZ31B magnesium alloy over wide range of strain rates and temperatures

Magnesium and its alloys with low specific weight, high specific strength, vast resources, easy recyclability and biodegradation have attracted extensive interest in recent years as an ideal candidate to aluminium and steel alloys. The knowledge of the mechanical properties under high strain rate loading and elevated temperature is necessary for the structural application of magnesium alloy in automotive, aerospace and defence industries. Compressive tests on AZ31B magnesium alloy were carried out at both quasi-static and high strain rate loading in a range between 10−3 s−1 and 3300 s−1 while temperature varies from -30 °C to 200 °C. Strain rate and temperature effect on flow stress, hardening behavior, rate sensitivity, ductility and energy absorption capability of the alloy is discussed. Optical and scanning electron microscopy was performed on selected specimens at quasi-static and high strain rates under room temperature. The Johnson-Cook model is fit to the measured data and predictions from the model are compared with the experimental data.