Slip during tension testing of Mg-3A1-1Zn sheet

The activation of slip and twinning deformation modes in Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy was investigated by means of both in-situ and ex-situ methods at ambient temperature using electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD). The results confirm the importance of non-basal slip and c-axis compression double twinning. During tensile deformation of rolled sheet, 63% of the observed slip traces were ascribed to prismatic slip, 33% to basal slip and 4% to slip. Prismatic slip was frequently observed in grain interiors. The density of twinning was quantified in samples tested along transverse, extrusion and rolling directions at failure. The values in the range of 0.02-0.18 twins per square micron were found depending on sample orientation. The results show the effect of twinning on failure.