Enhanced plasticity at cryogenic temperature in a magnesium alloy

Abstract The mechanical behaviours of magnesium alloy (WE43) at cryogenic temperatures are investigated. The significant improvement in both fracture strength (28%) and strain-to-failure (24%) at -196 °C is observed when compression direction is normal to the extrusion direction, as benchmarked against room-temperature properties. This considerable improvement in strain-to-failure and strength at cryogenic temperature is attributed to unusual enhanced pyramidal slip.