Deformation mechanisms in an AZ31 cast magnesium alloy as investigated by the acoustic emission technique

Cast AZ31 magnesium alloy was deformed in tension and compression at temperatures between 25 and 350 °C and at a constant strain rate of 10−3 s−1. Measurements of the acoustic emission (AE) during testing are presented and related to the microstructure of the sample material. The AE count rates increase with increasing temperature from room temperature to a maximum at 230 °C. At higher temperatures they decrease. This behaviour is discussed with a view to the role of twinning during deformation at elevated temperature.