Plastic deformation behavior of a Mg-1.5Zn-0.1Ca (mass%) alloy sheet under different strain paths

Mg–Zn–Ca alloy sheets with weak basal texture are expected to improve the room-temperature press formability of Mg-alloy sheets. The plastic deformation behavior of Mg–Zn–Ca alloy sheets should differ significantly from that of typical Mg-alloy sheets with strong basal texture. However, this has not yet been substantially studied. In this study, the plastic deformation behavior of a rolled Mg-1.5Zn-0.1Ca (mass%) alloy sheet with a thickness of 1 mm is studied experimentally. Tests of uniaxial tension, compression, reverse loadings from tension to compression, and from compression to tension are conducted in the rolling and transverse directions, and the work-hardening behavior and evolution of the Lankford value are investigated. Electron backscattered diffraction measurements are also conducted to examine the texture evolution. Under tension, the stress was less in the transverse direction than that in the rolling direction, and an apparent plateau region appeared only in the transverse direction. Under compression, the stress-strain curves exhibited plateau regions at the initial stage and were similar in the rolling and transverse directions. The Lankford values were less under compression than under tension in both directions. Under reverse loading from compression to tension, sigmoidal curves appeared, irrespective of the loading direction; however, they were more pronounced in the rolling direction than in the transverse direction. Under reverse loading from tension to compression, sigmoidal trends did not occur, irrespective of the loading direction, and the in-plane anisotropy in the work-hardening behavior was small. The mechanisms yielding these macroscopic deformation behaviors are discussed in terms of twinning and slip activities.