A crystal plasticity based approach to establish role of grain size and crystallographic texture in the Tension–Compression yield asymmetry and strain hardening behavior of a Magnesium–Silver–Rare Earth alloy

Existence of tension – compression yield asymmetry is a serious limitation to the load bearing capablities of Magnesium alloys in a number of light weight structural applications. The present work is aimed at nullifying the tension to compression asymmetry problem and strain hardening anomalies in a Magnesium – Silver – Rare Earth alloy by engineering different levels of microstructural conditions via friction stir processing and post process annealing. The existence and extent of yield asymmetry ratio in the range of microstructural conditions was experimentally obtained through quasistatic tensile and compression tests. The yield asymmetry problem was profoundly present in specimens of coarse grained microstructures when compared to their fine grained and ultra fine grained counterparts. The impact of the microstructure and associated mechanisms of plasticity on the macroscopic strain hardening behavior was established by Kock – Mecking’s analysis. Crystal plasticity simulations using Viscoplastic Self Consistency approach revealed the consequential role of extension twinning mechanism for the existence of yield asymmetry and anomalies in strain hardening behavior. This was especially dominant with coarsening of grain size. Electron Microscopy and characterization were conducted thoroughly in partially deformed specimens to confirm the predictions of the above simulations. The role of crystallographic texture for inducing the polarity to Tension – Compression yield asymmetry was corroborated. A critical grain size in Magnesium – Silver – Rare earth alloy was hereby established which could nullify influences of extension twinning in yield asymmetry ratio.