Effect of Axial Stress on Torsional Behavior for Extruded AZ31 Mg Alloys Under Multiaxial Loading

The torsional behavior of an extruded AZ31 magnesium alloy was investigated by combined axial-torsion mechanical testing with different stress ratios. The SEM-EBSD was used to analyze the microstructure and texture evolution of deformed samples. The results indicate that the axial tension results in a concave-down shape of shear stress–strain curves, while a concave-up shape after yielding is presented during combined compression-torsion loading due to twinning mechanism. Compared to pure shear, the yield strength decreases by 7 MPa and shear strain increases by 1% under σ:τ = −1:1 with same shear stress. Due to the Swift effect, a strain partitioning is displayed for axial strain during combined tension-torsion loading with low stress ratio. The twin volume fraction is 90% under σ:τ = −1:1, and the local dislocation density with a KAM value of 1.1 is maximum under σ:τ = 2:1. The primary twin type is {10-12} twins with axial compression. The main deformation mode changes from basal slip to prismatic slip with increase in axial tension stress. Both basal slip and twinning are activated and the interaction between dislocation slip and twinning contributes to the complex strain hardening behavior during combined compression-torsion loading.