Quantifying the role of texture in the compression anisotropy of AZ31 Mg alloy via crystal plasticity finite element modeling

Mg alloys often exhibit pronounced deformation anisotropy during plastic deformation, which significantly impacts their formability. Texture is the primary factor driving anisotropy, while the activation of deformation mechanisms serves as its fundamental cause. In this study, compression tests combined with crystal plasticity finite element modeling (CPFEM) were conducted on four representative textured samples to systematically investigate deformation anisotropy. The results show that CPFEM can reliably predict the mechanical responses and anisotropic behaviors of different textures, while quantitatively evaluating the contributions of individual deformation mechanisms. For compressed specimens of rolled sheets, anisotropy is mainly governed by the activation of basal slip and extension twinning. As strain increases, the relative contribution of extension twinning decreases, resulting in a gradual reduction in anisotropy. Additionally, systematic simulations of 60 artificially constructed textures established quantitative relationships between texture characteristics and deformation anisotropy. The results indicate that texture type and its orientation relative to the loading direction have a dominant influence on anisotropy, while texture intensity plays a comparatively minor role. This study not only elucidates the intrinsic mechanisms by which texture controls deformation anisotropy but also provides theoretical guidance for texture design and process optimization in Mg alloys.