Deformation mechanisms of Mg-Ca-Zn alloys studied by means of micropillar compression tests

The effect of Ca and Zn in solid solution on the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) basal slip, tensile twinning pyramidal slip Mg alloys has been measured through compression tests single crystal micropillars with different orientations. solute atoms increased CRSS for to ~ 13.5 MPa, while was lower than 85 reducing significantly plastic anisotropy comparison pure Mg. Moreover, CRSSs twin nucleation growth were very similar (~ 37 MPa) large value hindered twins during thermo-mechanical processing. Finally, evidence prismatic cross-slip between dislocations found. It is concluded that reduction anisotropy, activation systems weak texture promoted by are responsible improved ductility formability Mg-Ca-Zn alloys.