Identification of Active Slip Mode and Calculation of Schmid Factors in Magnesium Alloy

Four types of slip systems (basal <a>, prismatic <a>, pyramidal <a>, and pyramidal <a + c>) and two types of twinning (extension twinning {101–2} and contraction twinning {101–1}) could be identified in magnesium alloys using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). In addition, the Schmid factors (SF) of these slip systems were systematically calculated on the basis of the Euler angle which was obtained in EBSD. The identification of slip systems and calculation of SF can help us to understand the contribution made by each type of slip in the plastic deformation of the material, which is important for understanding the deformation mechanism.