Effect of equal channel angular pressing on the strength and ductility of an AZ80 alloy

Abstract

Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was applied to an extruded AZ80 Mg alloy in order to refine microstructure and enhance mechanical properties. The results show that the initial grain size of 20 μm of the as-extruded samples has been reduced by 75% after the first pass of ECAP, down to about 5 μm. Also as a result of the severe plastic deformation, the intermetallic compound Mg17Al12, which was distributed along grain boundaries and forms networks before the ECAP, has been re-arranged into a more homogeneous distribution and with a more spherical shape after the ECAP. Although no strengthening effect has been observed, the grain refinement and precipitate fragmentation caused by the ECAP has resulted in a 28% increase in the elongation to failure in tensile tests. Fractography observation and texture measurement have also been carried out.