Deformation twin nucleation and twin variant selection in single crystal magnesium as a function of strain rate

Deformation twinning is an important deformation mechanism in a variety of materials, including metals and ceramics. This deformation mechanism is particularly important in low-symmetry hexagonal close-packed (hcp) metals such as Magnesium (Mg), Zirconium (Zr) and Titanium (Ti). Extension twins in Mg, Zr and Ti can accommodate considerable plastic deformation as they grow. Thus, the rate and the mode of twinning greatly influences the mechanical behavior including strength and ductility. Herein, we study deformation twinning in terms of nucleation, twinning mode and variant selection as a function of strain rate in Mg single crystal (considered as a model material). We show that twin variant selection is sensitive to the loading rate, with more twin variants nucleating at the dynamic strain rates. Low Schmid factor twin variants (one of them being a double extension twin variant) were also found at the dynamic strain rates. Further at high strain rates, the first twins generated do not thicken beyond a critical width. Instead, plasticity proceeds with nucleation of second generation twins from the primary twin boundaries. The rates of area/volume fraction evolution of both generations of twins are found to be similar.