Enhancing strength and ductility of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets by the trapezoid extrusion

Abstract

The microstructure evolutions and mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets processed by the conventional extrusion and the trapezoid extrusion (TE) were investigated. The textural evolutions of TE sheets at near surface are different throughout the sheet thickness direction due to an additional shear deformation. This enforces the basal plane to tilt toward the direction of shear deformation. Moreover, it weakens the basal texture intensity. Trapezoid extrusion process exhibits a considerable grain refinement. Improved strength and ductility of magnesium alloys sheets were achieved by TE approach due to the tilted weak basal texture and the grain refinement.

Keywords:

• Mg alloy
• Microstructure
• Strength and ductility
• Texture
• Extrusion

The authors are grateful to the financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 51171212), Chongqing Science and Technology Commission (grant nos. CSTC2010AA4048, CSTC2012JJJQ50001 and cstc2012ggB50003) and the National Science and Technology Program of China (grant nos. 2011BAE22B03-3 and 2013DFA71070).