Strain controlled cyclic deformation behavior of an extruded magnesium alloy

Fatigue properties of an extruded AZ31B magnesium alloy were evaluated using strain-controlled push-pull cyclic tests at different total strain amplitudes at room temperature. The alloy exhibited an asymmetric sigmoidal-shaped hysteresis loop due to twinning in compression during the unloading phase and detwinning during the loading phase. As the total strain amplitude increased, the asymmetry of hysteresis loops, plastic strain amplitude, mean stress, and stress amplitude increased, while the ratcheting strain and pseudoelastic modulus decreased. As the cyclic deformation progressed at a given total strain amplitude (greater than 0.3%), an abrupt increase in the plastic strain amplitude was observed, representing the onset of fatigue crack initiation. The extent of this increase process, which decreased with increasing total strain amplitude, corresponded to the fatigue crack propagation prior to the final fast failure. Fatigue crack initiation was observed to occur at the specimen surface, and fatigue crack propagation was characterized by typical striations. The smaller spacing of fatigue striations and larger fatigue crack propagation zone at the lower total strain amplitude gave rise to a longer fatigue life. The Coffin-Manson and Basquin's relationships can be used to describe the fatigue lifetime of this alloy.