Transition of deformation behavior in an ultrafine grained magnesium alloy

The deformation behavior of friction stir processed magnesium alloy with average grain size ranging from 25 μm to 240 nm was studied. An evaluation of critical grain size for transition of deformation mode from twinning to slip was carried out by employing tensile and compressive tests. The role of critical grain size in transition of deformation behavior from strain hardening to softening was established. Inhomogeneous yielding was observed during tensile test of ultrafine-grained magnesium alloy below the critical grain size.

► Identification of the critical grain size for transition in deformation behavior.
► Transition from strain hardening to strain softening during tensile testing.
► Critical grain size for transition of deformation mode from twinning to slip.
► Deformation behavior of ultrafine grained WE43 alloy for the first time.