Influence of an asymmetric shear deformation on microstructure evolution and mechanical behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet

The mechanical responses of AZ31 alloy sheets processed by the conventional extrusion (CE) and the asymmetric extrusion (ASE) are evaluated in correlation with the concurrent microstructure and texture evolution. ASE processing was conducted to obtain the additional asymmetric shear deformation throughout the sheet thickness direction. This enforced the crystallographic reorientation of (0002) basal planes parallel to the direction of shear deformation. Moreover, it weakens the basal texture of ASE sheet compared with CE one. Improving mechanical properties for extruded Mg alloy sheet was achieved by ASE approach as a result of the tilted weak basal texture.