Strengthening and toughening of magnesium alloy by {1 0 −1 2} extension twins

The mechanisms of strengthening and toughening of hot-rolled AZ31 magnesium alloy by {1 0 −1 2} extension twins during strain path changed recompression are studied in the current paper. Under the favorable orientation, {1 0 −1 2} extension twinning can occur in {1 0 −1 2} twins generated by precompression along the rolling direction. Grain refinement by extension twins dramatically enhances both yield stress and peak stress of reloading along the transverse direction without any degradation in elongation, while the effect is closely related with the level of prestrain.