The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the activation of non-basal slip in a magnesium alloy

The application of hydrostatic pressure (backpressure) during equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) of a magnesium alloy results in much enhanced grain refinement, and the splitting of the (0 0 0 2) dominant texture component from one strong peak into two weak peaks. This corresponds well with the existing texture simulation results assuming significant contribution of 〈〈c + a〉〉 non-basal slip. Transmission electron microscopy observation shows the prevalence of 〈〈c + a〉〉 dislocations and thus confirms that the deformation mechanism has been changed by the application of hydrostatic pressure during ECAP.