Abstract
In the present study, in situ microbending experiments on magnesium single crystalline microcantilevers are presented. Microcantilevers with pentagonal cross-section were fabricated by focus ion beam. Two basic crystallographic orientations of the microcantilevers were investigated: {0001} and {10-10}, i.e., the c-axis perpendicular to and parallel with the cantilever top surface, respectively. After bending, the longitudinal sections of the microcantilevers were analyzed using electron backscatter diffraction to investigate the crystal lattice rotations and accumulated deformations. The stress levels in the loaded cantilevers are strongly dependent on the crystal orientation. Extension twins were found in the {10-10} cantilevers.