Enhancing the effect of texture control using {10-12} twins by retarding detwinning activity in rolled Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy

The effect of texture control using {10-12} twins was capable of being significantly improved by thermal annealing. The removal of the residual tensile stress that developed inside these twins along the c-axis retarded detwinning activity during early deformation by increasing the detwinning stress, and this consequently led to a prolonged and enhanced activity of basal slip in the twinned region, increasing its contribution to the deformation. On the basis of this mechanism, the yield strength and elongation were improved simultaneously. (C) 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.