Three dimensional simulations of texture and triaxiality effects on the plasticity of magnesium alloys

We investigate the synergistic effects of texture and intrinsic plastic anisotropy (at the level of single crystal) on the deformation of polycrystalline magnesium using three-dimensional crystal plasticity finite element simulations. Using rolled plate texture as a basis, we simulate the deformation using a range of synthetic textures. Smooth and notched round bar specimens are considered to achieve different levels of stress triaxiality. Two sets of constituent single crystal properties, representative of an Mg alloy and pure Mg respectively, are adopted in order to investigate the role of intrinsic plastic anisotropy. Our results reveal that textural variations couple into the intrinsic plastic anisotropy and triaxiality to determine the active deformation mechanisms. When loaded along the rolling direction of the plate, the deformation is accommodated by prismatic slip at low triaxiality and pyramidal (c + a) slip at high triaxiality. Softer mechanisms such as basal slip and extension twinning, which are not favored by the loading orientation, are activated due to the intergranular stresses. The smooth specimens show macroscopic strain localization the onset of which depends on initial texture. The deformed textures are strongly modulated by both triaxiality and intrinsic plastic anisotropy. We also briefly discuss the potential role of twinning in damage evolution. (C) 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.