Impacts of pre-strain on twin boundary mobility of magnesium

Twin boundary mobility (TBM) has significant influences on the mechanical properties of magnesium (Mg). In the current study, the effects of pre-strain on TBM in pure Mg are systematically investigated by evaluating the change of yield stress during compression and tension, and microstructure observations by in-situ electron back-scattered diffraction. Owing to lower dislocation density and less restriction from other boundaries, smaller twins in pure Mg subjected to 2% compressive strain exhibit higher TBM than larger twins in pre-4% and pre-8% compressed pure Mg. Decreased TBM with increasing pre-strain is primarily because of the larger number of dislocations, which impede twin boundary motion. These findings indicate that altering twin size and dislocation density by pre-strain is an effective way to tailor TBM, providing a basis for developing new industrial Mg alloys.