Effect of Thermo-mechanical Treatment of Extruded Z1 Mg Alloy on Resulting Mechanical Properties

Abstract

The formability and mechanical properties of Mg alloys are strongly influenced by a formation and growth of twins. The contribution of twinning to plastic deformation can be modified by initial texture, introducing solute segregation and precipitation at the twin boundaries. The interaction of solute atoms and precipitates with grain and twin boundaries during thermo-mechanical treatment and their effect on mechanical properties will be discussed in term of acoustic emission (AE). An AE signal, recorded during deformation tests, can provide information about active deformation mechanisms during plastic deformation with respect to the microstructure and texture as well as to solute segregation and precipitates along dislocations, grain and twin boundaries. The microstructure development of the extruded Z1 Mg alloy prior and after pre-treatment as well as after subsequent loading will be investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) including electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) technique.