Twin-twin interaction between different {10-12} variants in deformation of a magnesium alloy

Deformation twinning plays a critical role in the mechanical properties of magnesium with hexagonal close-packed structures. Different twin variants can be activated inside individual grains and interaction between them incurs. In this work, we investigated twin-twin interaction during deformation in a rolled Mg alloy with a strong basal texture. A high density of 60°<01-10>interface between {10-12} twin variants were revealed. This type of interface present a highly irregular morphology that cannot be explained by classical twinning theory. We also conducted atomistic simulations to understand the twin-twin interaction mechanism. The results show that the anomalous twin-twin interaction can only occur when no twinning shear is involved.