Cryogenic strength-ductility synergy in Mg-6Gd-1Zn alloys with bimodal grain structure coupled with basal lamellar phase

Materials Research Letters 2026 Open access

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Authors: Jing Zuo, Mingquan Zhang, Taiki Nakata, Chao Xu, Xi Zhang, Enyu Guo, Guisong Wang, Kunkun Deng, 聂凯波, X S Wang, S. Kamado, Lin Geng
DOI: 10.1080/21663831.2026.2667429
Cited by: 1
References: 43

Abstract

Achieving simultaneous strength and ductility at cryogenic temperature (CT) remains challenging for Mg alloys. An extruded Mg-6Gd-1Zn (wt.%) alloy with bimodal grain structure and basal lamellar phases exhibits anomalous strength-ductility synergy at CT. Mechanical incompatibility between soft DRXed and hard unDRXed regions generates geometrically necessary dislocations (GND) accumulation and dominant hetero-deformation-induced (HDI) hardening. Basal lamellar phases intensify elastic and plastic incompatibility, steepening GND gradients and back stress at CT. The coupled bimodal grain structure and basal lamellar phases elevate local resolved shear stress, activating non-basal slip even in grains with low Schmid factors (SF), enabling enhanced cryogenic strength-ductility synergy.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Magnesium Alloys: Properties and Applications Microstructure and mechanical properties Aluminum Alloy Microstructure Properties

Publication details

Journal / source
Materials Research Letters
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Volume
14
Issue
7
Pages
821–829
Publication date
13 May 2026
Language
EN