Development and Evolution of Texture in Mg–Zr Alloy Deposited by Physical Vapor Deposition

Abstract

The development and evolution of texture in a Mg–10.6%wt Zr deposit obtained by physical vapor deposition was studied. The deposit exhibits a microstructure characterized by elongated grains with the [0001] direction parallel to the deposit growth direction. The volume fraction of the basal plane component increases throughout the thickness from 45% at the collector side up to around 70%. The minimization of interfacial energy of (0001) planes induces the initial texture at the earliest stage of the deposit formation. Furthermore, the increase in the volume fraction of the (0001) component during deposit growth is provoked by texture competition, which results in the development of grains with the [0001] direction parallel to the deposit growth direction.