Exceptional texture evolution induced by multi-pass cold drawing of magnesium alloy

Highlights: • Mg-2wt%Zn shows an exceptionally good deformability at room temperature. • The strongest texture component eventually transformed from as-extruded basal to 〈101¯0〉 fiber. • The rotation processing of Mg lattices explains the cold-drawn deformation mechanism. We performed multiple-pass cold drawing for Mg-2wt%Zn alloy until 91% accumulative true strain, indicating an excellent drawing deformability of Mg alloy at room temperature. Based on texture analysis, the strong basal texture, which was formed during hot extrusion, was further strengthened at the initial stage of drawing. Subsequently, under the effect of twining and constrained inclined compressive stress, more slips were activated, leading to weakening of the basal texture and an evident drop in the maximum texture intensity. This process was associated with a rapid rise in microhardness and strength as well as a rapid decline in tensile elongation. At larger strain, non-basal slip systems were gradually activated. As a result, the maximum texture intensity gradually increase again, along with relatively smooth change in mechanical properties. The texture component eventually transformed from as-extruded basal texture to typical 〈101¯0〉 fiber texture with 〈101¯0〉 parallel to the drawing direction.