Loading-direction dependence of interaction types between different twin variants in AZ31 alloy

In this research, Loading-direction dependence of interaction types between different [Formula: see text] twin variants in AZ31 alloy was investigated. The microstructure, twin evolution, and the deformation mechanisms of samples were characterised by quasi-in-situ electron backscatter diffraction. The result showed that during rolling direction (RD)-pre-compression and re-compression, the grains with co-zone twin–twin interaction (Type I) are in the majority, while during RD-pre-compression and transverse direction (TD)-re-compression, the grains with non-cozone twin–twin interaction (Type II) are dominant. Furthermore, the effect of different types of twin–twin interaction on subsequent microstructure evolution is clarified. Our experimental results may provide insights for tailoring different types of twin–twin interaction.