Cyclic hardening/softening behaviour in AZ31B magnesium alloy based on infrared thermography

The work-hardening/softening behaviour of AZ31B magnesium alloy during high cycle fatigue was investigated. The superficial temperature evolution during fatigue tests was used as a criterion for the different levels of work-hardening/softening. The microstructures under different cycles were observed by transmission electron microscope. Tensile test (with post-fatigue) was conducted to quantify the work-hardening/softening behaviour which showed that high dislocation density after cyclic loading lead to high tensile strength. The temperature evolution of the specimens with different levels of work-hardening/softening during tensile tests is related to the microstructures; the results indicated that the temperature rise of the specimen with high density dislocation was lower. Microstructures after tensile tests showed that high dislocation density after cyclic loading would lead to high twinning density.