Abstract
A ball indenter was impressed on low index planes in pure Mg, Mg-0.5at%Zn alloy, Mg-0.5at%Al alloy, Mg-0.5at.%Y alloy, Mg-0.9at.%Y alloy single crystals and pure Zn single crystals, and the formations of the indentations were investigated. In pure Mg and Mg alloy single crystals, indentation forms isotropic round shape when indented on (0001). The indentations elongated to [0001] were observed when indented on (1100) and (1120). Basal slip and (1012) twin were observed around the indentations. The obtained results were discussed with the critical resolve shear stress: CRSS of basal slip and second ordered prismatic slips and twins. The indentation size depends on a CRSS of basal slip indented on (0001) and on both activity of basal slips and twinning indented on (1100) and (1120).
