Processing and properties of Mg–6Gd–1Zn–0.6Zr: Part 2. Mechanical properties and particle twin interactions

A Mg–6Gd–1Zn–0.6Zr alloy has been mechanically tested in the aged and solution treated conditions. The plate showed negligible yield asymmetry in either the aged condition or the particle free condition. This has been attributed to the weak texture that develops during recrystallisation. It is proposed that a negligible yield asymmetry can be achieved with textures weaker than ∼ 5 times random intensity, and that it is not necessary to have a fully random texture, but simply a texture weak enough for basal slip to dominate the deformation in both tension and compression. The ageing treatment provided little strengthening in tension or compression, and this is because the precipitates do not possess the strongest hardening characteristic of coherent shearable particles, which is internal order.