Prediction of flow stress anisotropy and tension compression asymmetry of hot rolled AZ31B Mg alloy

The mechanical response of a hot rolled polycrystalline AZ31B Mg plate along its two directions is predicted using a visco-plastic self-consistent (VPSC) model coupled with a dislocation-based hardening scheme. The hardening response along the in-plane and through thickness directions of the plate was successfully predicted in tension and compression. The high flow stress anisotropy and tension/compression asymmetry of the alloy is attributed mainly to the directionality of the tensile twinning. The high hardening rate after twinning is also predicted successfully using the above mentioned hardening scheme.