There is renewed interest in lightweight magnesium alloys for a number of structural applications, where weight is a premium, ranging from automobiles to the cases of portable electronic devices. Die-casting and semi-solid forming are presently the preferred methods of component fabrication. Wrought magnesium alloys are rarely used in structural applications, due to difficulties (read $$$)
associated with processing. Our research is focused on developing quantitative models of the complex macroscopic mechanical response based upon knowledge of the grain-level mechanisms using a polycrystal plasticity modeling approach. Such mechanism-based modeling promises to provide: i) mechanistic explanations for specific forming problems, ii) concepts for improving the properties through alloy/microstructure design, and iii) computational tools for use in metal forming process optimization. The modeling approach requires significant experimental input to constrain a number of parameters. The lecture will focus on recent results obtained from "new" experimental tools (e.g.,
in-situ neutron diffraction, electron back-scattered diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy) that are helping to develop a clearer picture of how wrought magnesium alloys accommodate strain using a wide variety of mechanisms (including basal and non-basal slip of <a> Burgers vector dislocations, non-basal slip of <c+a> dislocations, as well as tension and compression twinning.)
