Texture Evolution and Anisotropy of Plastic Flow in Hot Compression of Extruded ZK60-T5 Magnesium Alloy Plate

The texture evolution during hot compression of extruded ZK60A-T5 magnesium alloy plate loaded along the extrusion direction (ED) and the normal direction (ND) has been examined with the help of pole figures obtained on specimens deformed in the ranges of 200 °C to 500 °C and 0.0003 s−1 to 10 s−1. The results are interpreted in terms of the operating slip systems and mechanisms identified based on processing maps developed for the above two initial specimen orientations. The processing map for the initial ED orientation exhibited three domains. In Domains 1 and 3, first-order pyramidal slip {10 1 ¯ l} <11 2 ¯ 0> occurs, while in Domain 2, second-order pyramidal slip {11 2 ¯ 2} <11 2 ¯ 3> occurs. The pole figures obtained on specimens deformed in Domains 1 and 3 are strikingly similar, indicating that the operating slip system controls the texture evolution. Compression in Domains 1 and 3 nearly randomizes the intense basal texture in the as-received specimens, while a new texture is generated in Domain 2 with basal poles at 45° to ND or transverse direction (TD). This new texture will promote basal slip when loaded in a transverse direction. When loaded in the normal direction (ND), the processing map exhibited four domains. In Domains 1 and 4, {10 1 ¯ l} <11 2 ¯ 3> slip occurs, while {11 2 ¯ 2} <11 2 ¯ 3> slip occurs in Domains 2 and 3. The pole figures obtained from specimens deformed in Domains 1 and 4 have similar features, while those deformed in Domains 2 and 3 exhibited similar features to one another, confirming that the operating slip systems control the texture development since they are the same in each pair. The compression along ND produces strong basal textures with the basal planes normal to the ED. The texture gets intensified with increased temperature of deformation and causes strong anisotropy in mechanical properties.