Mechanical response and texture evolution prediction of AZ31 magnesium alloy during CVCDE process using crystal plasticity finite element method

Continuous variable channel direct extrusion (CVCDE) is one of the effective methods for the fabrication of high-performance light alloy, which can realize the cooperative control of the shape and properties of extruded components with short process in a single pass. However, in consideration of the closed cavity in CVCDE, it is difficult to observe the microstructure in real time, and it is characterized by strong nonlinear and complex deformation path. Therefore, CPFEM (Crystal Plasticity Finite Element Method) was established based on VPSC-PTR to study texture evolution under complex conditions. The texture evolution law under different forming conditions was stated, and the experiments data were compared with the simulation results. The results were consistent with the simulation results. By means of crystal plasticity simulation, the material deformation and strain distribution at different positions in the CVCDE process were revealed. The simulation results based on this model show that during the 2-interim CVCDE process, the edge region of AZ31 magnesium alloy is subjected to obvious shear strain, which promotes the initiation of non-basal plane <c+a> slip system, and the basal axis orientation of grain is deflated, and the material texture is significantly different from that in the center deformation region.