Stacking-fault mediated plasticity and strengthening in lean, rare-earth free magnesium alloys

A magnesium alloy with lean additions of Zn (1 wt.%) and Ca (0.3 wt.%), ZX10, pure Mg were subjected to orientation-dependent micropillar indentation tests at ambient temperature. Single-crystalline micropillars two different orientations fabricated activate extension compression along the c-axis, respectively. For both loading conditions, ZX10 exhibits a strengthening increment by factor 2 2.5 compared plasticity enhancement. Correlative transmission electron back-scattered diffraction microscopy reveal that deformation in proceeds twinning under c-axis extension, generating homogeneous activation basal non-basal slip higher strains. In contrast, displays through tension slip. Pure deforms dislocation-mediated massive sliding, while reveals dual ?a? pyramidal ?c+a? dislocations. Mechanistically, minute solutes modify intrinsic stacking-fault energy, which accounts for simultaneous ductility These findings highlight beneficial impact dilute activating novel pathways are critical designing rare-earth (RE) free high-strength, highly ductile alloys structural biomedical applications.