Effect of yttrium on the twinning and plastic deformation of AE magnesium alloy under ballistic impact

In this research, effect of yttrium on the texture formation, microstructural evolution and mechanical response of AE42 and AE44 cast magnesium alloys were investigated under ballistic impact. The selected strain rates were 800 and 1100 s−1 and the tests were conducted using Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar. It was inferred that after high velocity impact, a weaker basal texture developed in the samples with lower content of yttrium. Experimental results also showed that by increasing the concentration of yttrium in the cast AE alloys, strength, ductility and dislocation density of the impacted alloys increased but, the fraction of twinning decreased, which indicate the effective influence of yttrium on the nucleation and growth of twins. Moreover, it was inferred that accumulation of dislocations at intersections of the twins led to the cracking and fracture of the samples under shock loading conditions.