Effect of Loading Mode on the Evolution of the Dislocation Structure in Magnesium

The evolution of the dislocation structure in randomly textured cast magnesium as a function of loading mode is studied using whole neutron diffraction pattern line profile analysis and elasto-plastic self-consistent modeling. Both the experimental results and the theoretical data indicate the onset of basal slip at low stresses and the key role of prismatic slip in the macroscopic yield. Dependence of the second-order pyramidal slip on the loading mode is revealed.