Plastic Work Partitioning During Slip- and Twinning-Dominated Deformation in AZ31B Magnesium Alloy

TL;DR

This study investigates how plastic work is partitioned during slip- and twinning-dominated deformation in AZ31B magnesium alloy, revealing different energy dissipation and microstructural evolution behaviors.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the energy storage and dissipation mechanisms associated with different deformation modes in magnesium alloys.

Findings

Slip-dominated deformation dissipates about 50% of plastic work as heat.

Twinning-dominated deformation initially stores most plastic work.

Deformation mechanisms influence microstructural evolution and strain localization.

Abstract

Plastic work partitioning was investigated in extruded AZ31B magnesium alloy under loading orientations promoting slip- or twinning-dominated deformation. Slip-dominated deformation exhibits stable plastic flow with approximately 50$\%$ of plastic work dissipated as heat. In contrast, twinning-dominated deformation initially stores most plastic work, delaying dissipation and promoting rapid strain hardening and early strain localization. The distinct mechanical responses correlate with microstructural evolution, revealing deformation-mechanism-dependent energy storage behavior in HCP magnesium alloys.