Effect of equal channel angular pressing on AZ31 wrought magnesium alloys

Abstract

AZ31 wrought magnesium alloys are light weight materials which play an important role in order to reduces the environmental burdens in modern society because of its high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and stiffness and machinability. Applications of this material are mainly in structural component i.e., in constructions, automobile, aerospace, electronics and marine industries. In the present work, the microstructure characterization of the AZ31 alloys up to four ECAP passes at temperature of 573 K was observed for route Bc. Average grain size of the material was reduced from 31.8 μm to 8 μm after four ECAP passes. Mechanical properties of the alloy improved with increase in number of ECAP passes. Moreover, X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out for as received and ECAP processed material. Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) technique is used to refine the grains into ultrafine grain size of the material. In the present work, AZ31 wrought Mg alloy is used as a material processed through ECAP up to 4 passes at the temperature of 573 K for route Bc. Initially, the Average grain size of the as received material was found to be 31.8 μm. The average reduced grain size after 4 ECAP passes was found to be 8 μm. Mechanical properties of the AZ31 alloy was studied for 4 ECAP passed specimen and an improvement was found to have occurred in comparison to as received material. X-ray diffraction analysis has been done for as received material, after homogenized specimen and after 4 ECAP processed specimen. • ECAP experiment carried out using die angle 120° and arc of curvature was 30°. • AZ31 material was deformed at a processing temperature of 573 K up to 4 pass. • Examine the grain refinement with increased ECAP passes for route Bc. • Microstructural Characterization was observed for AZ31 alloy using OM and SEM. • Evaluate the Mechanical properties and X-ray diffraction analysis of AZ31 alloy.