Abstract
Inhomogeneous deformation in a dual-phase magnesium alloy with the long period stacking order (LPSO) phase has been investigated using high-precision markers drawn by electron beam lithography. Mg alloys containing Zn and rare earth elements such as Y have a characteristic microstructure consisting of the LPSO phase and the usual hep matrix phase. Mechanical properties of this alloy are remarkably improved by the process of warm-extrusion. Such superior mechanical properties of this Mg alloy should be closely related to the characteristic of microstructural inhomogeneity induced by plastic deformation. In the present study, such deformation inhomogeneity was examined by employing the high-precision marker method. The effects of such inhomogeneous deformation on the high mechanical performance of the present Mg alloy are discussed.
