Role of initial texture on the plastic anisotropy of Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy at various temperatures

The effect of initial texture on the anisotropic properties of AZ31 Mg alloys was investigated on the basis of microstructure evolution after compression tests and Lankford parameter (r-value) experiments at various temperatures. Two kinds of sheets were used: one is the cast-and-rolled sheet, and the other is the strip-cast sheet. Compression tests were conducted up to a strain of 0.3 at temperatures of 200-400 degrees C, and tensile tests were performed to obtain the r-value at various temperatures (25-450 degrees C). The results showed that, at all test temperatures, the average r-value of the RD plane were greater than those of the ND and TD planes in the cast-and-rolled material. When comparing the average r-value of the RD plane, the cast-and-rolled material revealed much higher values than those of strip-cast material. It was observed that the cross-sectional shape of RD compressive specimens (the compression axis was parallel to the rolling direction) of cast-and-rolled materials changed from an initial circular shape to an ellipsoidal shape due to the plastic anisotropy. Compression processes of specimens were simulated using a finite element method where the Hill's anisotropic yield criterion was adopted. The simulated results were in a good agreement with experimental data. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.