Effect of Extrusion Temperature on the Plastic Deformation of an Mg-Y-Zn Alloy Containing LPSO Phase Using In Situ Neutron Diffraction

The evolution of the internal strains during in situ tension and compression tests has been measured in an MgY₂Zn₁ alloy containing long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase using neutron diffraction. The alloy was extruded at two different temperatures to study the influence of the microstructure and texture of the magnesium and the LPSO phases on the deformation mechanisms. The alloy extruded at 623 K (350 °C) exhibits a strong fiber texture with the basal plane parallel to the extrusion direction due to the presence of areas of coarse non-recrystallised grains. However, at 723 K (450 °C), the magnesium phase is fully recrystallised with grains randomly oriented. On the other hand, at the two extrusion temperatures, the LPSO phase orients their basal plane parallel to the extrusion direction. Yield stress is always slightly higher in compression than in tension. Independently on the stress sign and the extrusion temperature, the beginning of plasticity is controlled by the activation of the basal slip system in the dynamic recrystallized grains. Therefore, the elongated fiber-shaped LPSO phase which behaves as the reinforcement in a metal matrix composite is responsible for this tension–compression asymmetry.