Influence of the Deformation Mechanism on the Anisotropy of the Mechanical Properties and Workability of Magnesium Alloys

An experimental calculation method for the estimation of anisotropy is developed for semifinished sheet and pressed products made from magnesium alloys. The method makes it possible to calculate the anisotropy parameters from quantitative data on the texture and the relative values of the reduced critical shear stresses for the slip and twinning mechanisms operating in these alloys. The optimal alloying of magnesium alloys is shown to provide two methods for enhancing the deep drawing characteristics, namely, decreasing the intensity of the basal texture due to the formation of dispersed intermetallic compounds and increasing the compressive-strain resistance compared to tension due to a change in the deformation mechanism. Yttrium and neodymium are found to be most efficient in this respect, because they favor such a deformation mechanism that increases the Lankford coefficient by two to four times at the same texture in sheets. In addition, neodymium alloying weakens the intensity of the basal texture, which also favors an increase in the Lankford coefficient.