A high-performance Mg-4.9Gd-3.2Y-1.1Zn-0.5Zr alloy via multidirectional forging after analyzing its compression behavior

Abstract

A high-performance Mg-4.9Gd-3.2Y-1.1Zn-0.5 Zr alloy has been fabricated by multidirectional forging (MDF) after analyzing its compression behavior. The as-homogenized alloy exhibits a high activation energy Q of deformation (∼285 kJ/mol). The size of DRXed grains after compression tends to decrease as the Z-H parameter (Z) increases, showing a grain size exponent m of ∼4.0. Lamellar LPSO phases, kinking deformation, and bimodal microstructure are detected at the relatively low compression temperature of 350 and 400 °C, while sufficient DRX can be achieved at 500 °C, accompanied by the dissolution of lamellar LPSO. According to the processing maps, MDF was successfully conducted under an appropriate condition. After peak-aged at 200 °C for 78 h, the MDFed billet exhibits a tensile yield strength (TYS) of 331 and 305 MPa at room temperature and 200 °C, respectively. The high strength mainly results from the combination of fine grains, low Schmid factor for basal slip, sufficient β' ageing precipitates, and directionally arranged interdendritic LPSO phases, etc. This paper provides a feasible way for the fabrication of high-performance, low-RE-content, and large-scale Mg components for industrial production.