Twinning Behavior, Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Property of Random-Orientated ZK60 Mg Alloy Compressed at Room Temperature

Abstract

In this study, the uniaxial compression of random orientation ZK60 Mg alloy to different strains was performed at room temperature. The microstructure evolution was characterized mainly using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and the mechanical property was evaluated by the Vickers hardness test. During compression, extension twins nucleated, grew, and engulfed the grain. Twins form a texture with the c-axis parallel to the compression direction. With the massive nucleation and expansion of extension twins during compression, the twin boundary (TB) brought the grain refinement, and the twin boundary-dislocation interaction significantly increased the strain hardening rate of ZK60 Mg alloy, both leading to its significantly increasement of the hardness.

Research Progress in High-Performance Magnesium Alloy and Its Applications

“…It is evident that twinning can be used to improve the mechanical properties of Mg alloys. Zhang et al [1] found that {10-12} twinning is one of the main deformation mechanisms of cast ZK60 Mg alloy during uniaxial compression at room temperature. It plays an important role in the evolution of microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties.…”