Formed kink band and long-period stacking structure relaxed stress induced by {10–12} twin in deformed magnesium alloy

• The formation of {10–12} twin induced stress in the matrix of Mg alloy.
• We observed the change of {10–12} twin structure caused by the induced stress.
• Kink band formed in the distortion region near the twin boundary.
• Long-period stacking structures formed from the twin boundary.
• These kink bands and long-period stacking structures relaxed the induced stress.

Deformation twinning induces stress in alloy matrixes, but stress relaxation modes have not been identified in the microstructure of hexagonal-close-packed alloys. We investigated this issue in a deformed Mg alloy during heating. The {10–12} deformation twinning induced stress in the Mg–Y–Nd–Zn alloy matrix, caused lattice distortion near the twin boundary and generation of stacking faults from the step at the twin boundary. At 400 °C, the kink band formed in the distortion region and the stacking faults formed long-period stacking structures, relaxing the stress induced by {10–12} deformation twinning.