Texture evolution and deformation activity of an extruded magnesium alloy: Effect of yttrium and deformation temperature

Texture evolution and deformation activity of an extruded Mg-Zn-Mn (ZM31) alloy containing different amounts of yttrium subjected to hot compression along the extrusion direction at 200 °C and 300 °C were studied via electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A typical basal texture with (0001) planes and 〈011¯0〉 directions of most grains oriented parallel to the extrusion direction was observed. With increasing Y content, the basal texture was weakened and grain orientations became more random. The occurrence of extension twinning was characterized by the formation of {1¯21¯0}〈0001〉 and {011¯0}〈0001〉 textures, indicating that the c-axes in most grains were rotated towards the anti-compression direction. The maximum intensity of twinned textures decreased with increasing deformation temperature, and the extent of decrease was less significant in the alloy with a higher amount of Y. Visco-plastic self-consistent simulation, along with EBSD and XRD analyses, revealed that with increasing deformation temperature the relative contribution of non-basal slip increased and the relative contribution of extension twinning decreased. With increasing Y content the relative contribution of pyramidal slip increased, while the relative contribution of basal slip decreased.