Reduction in tension–compression asymmetry via grain refinement and texture design in Mg–3Al–1Zn sheets

Twin rolled cast Mg–3Al–1Zn Mg sheets were processed using equal channel angular plate extrusion (ECAPE) at 200 °C and 150 °C following different processing schemes. Grain size was effectively refined from 9 µm down to 1.9 µm, and the starting strong basal texture was weakened after multi-step processing. A crystal plasticity model was utilized to reveal the operating deformation modes in the ECAPE processed sheets under uniaxial loading at room temperature. The results show that tension compression asymmetry due to tensile twinning activity notably decreased due to both grain refinement and texture modifications after ECAPE.