Twining and Slip Activity in Magnesium <11-20> Single Crystal

Uniaxial μ-compression tests have been performed on single crystal Mg with a compression direction, an orientation unfavorable for basal slip. Results show that the early stages of deformation proceed via both twinning and dislocation plasticity. Twinning leads to a reorientation of the crystal favorable for basal slip, typically with the aligned with the compression direction. At a critical strain a large strain burst occurs, and is associated with both rapid propagation of the twin and the activation of basal slip within the twin. Such a mechanistic picture of the deformation behavior is revealed through SEM, EBSD and TEM characterization of the deformation structures.