Onset of detwinning in Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy: A synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction study

We investigate the onset of detwinning in magnesium alloy Mg-3Al-1Zn under continuous loading with real-time in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Detwinning of the $\left\{10\overline{1}2\right\}$ extension twins activated both by tension parallel to and compression perpendicular to the c-axis fibers is explored. The experimental results reveal that detwinning of the $\left\{10\overline{1}2\right\}$ extension twins occurs immediately upon unloading, regardless of whether the twins are activated by tension parallel to or compression perpendicular to the c-axis fibers.