Characterization of adiabatic shear bands in AM60B magnesium alloy under ballistic impact

Adiabatic shear bands in Mg alloy under ballistic impact at a velocity of 0.5 km·s−1 were characterized by means of optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and indenter technique. The results show that adiabatic shear bands were formed around the impacted crater, and the deformed and transformed bands were distinguished by etching colors in metallographic observation. TEM observation shows that the deformed bands were composed of the elongated grains and high density dislocations, while the transformed bands composed of the ultrafine and equiaxed grains were confirmed. In initial stage, the severe localized plastic deformation led to the formation of elongated grains in the deformed bands. With localized strain increasing, the severe localized deformation assisted with the plastic temperature rising led to the severe deformation grains evolved into the ultrafine and equiaxed grains, while the deformed bands were developed into transformed bands. The formation of the ultrafine and equiaxed grains in the transformed bands should be attributed to the twinning-induced rotational dynamic recrystallization mechanism. High microhardness in the bands was obtained because of the strain hardening, grain refining and content concentration.

Research Highlights
► Deformed and transformed bands are found in Mg alloy under ballistic impact.
► The microstructures in the deformed and transformed bands are characterized.
► The evolution process of the microstructure in the bands is discussed.