Texture characteristics and anisotropic superplasticity of AZ61 magnesium alloy

The texture evolution and mechanical anisotropy in an extruded AZ61 Mg alloy are examined. After warm extrusion, the alloy exhibits a refined grain structure and a strong basal texture. The tensile behaviors are examined in extruded specimens with the loading axis oriented at 0degrees, 45degrees and 90degrees to the extrusion direction. The 45degrees specimens exhibit lower yield stresses and higher ductility. The possible reasons for the mechanical anisotropy based on the Schmid factor calculations are analyzed.