Effects of Zn Addition and Twin Roll Casting Process on the Microstructure, Texture, and Mechanical Properties of the Mg-Al-Mn-Ca Sheet

Abstract

In this work, the microstructure and texture of Mg-1.0Al-xZn-0.2Mn-0.5Ca (wt.%, x = 0, 1) alloys, which were produced via conventional casting or twin roll casting (TRC), were investigated, and their relation to the mechanical properties of the sheets at the final gage was analyzed. In the Zn-containing AZMX1100 alloy sheets, the amount and size of the secondary phases were significantly reduced, in comparison to the Zn-free AMX100 alloy sheet. The TRC sheet shows a smaller grain structure and fine secondary phases in comparison to the sheets produced via the conventional casting process. The texture of the AMX100 sheet is characterized by the basal poles tilted in the sheet rolling direction (RD). In the AZMX1100 sheets, the texture with the tilted basal poles towards the RD and transverse direction (TD) was developed after recrystallization annealing, while the tilting angle of the basal pole in the TD is larger than in the RD. There is no significant difference in the texture between the sheets produced by the casting and TRC process. The highest yield strength was obtained in the AZMX1100 sheet produced by the TRC process, and all examined sheets showed the mechanical anisotropy in accordance with their textures.