Inhomogeneous deformation behavior and recrystallization mechanism of Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy containing only intragranular lamellar LPSO phase

Abstract

Inhomogeneous plastic deformation and recrystallization behavior of Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy containing only intragranular lamellar long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase were investigated by isothermal compression experiments at the temperatures of 350–450 °C, and the strain rates of 0.001 ∼ 10 s−1. Results showed that Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloys with varying degrees of bimodal structures were obtained after compression. The lamellar LPSO phase directions in residual coarse grains were aligned in the radial direction (RD). Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) grains induced at grain boundaries, kinked bands, and lamellar shearing regions during compression synergistically promoted coarse grain refinement. Moreover, the condition of high temperature and medium strain rate (450 °C-0.1 s−1) contributed to the uniform extension of "mantle layers" of fine DRX grains. In contrast, the condition of medium temperature and high strain rate (400 °C-10 s−1) could accelerate the deflection of CD-directed (compression direction) LPSO lamellae and the formation of local high-energy regions, facilitating the generation of recrystallization band. In addition, a high strain rate (400 °C-10 s−1) is more conducive to the formation of a heavily bimodal structure than a high temperature (450 °C-0.1 s−1). Only a larger spacing of LPSO lamellae (∼1.4 μm) could meet the spatial requirements of recrystallization. Further analysis revealed that the continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) mechanism characterized by the expansion of "mantle layers" and nucleation along kinked boundaries and lamellar shearing regions was the primary grain refinement mechanism. The discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) mechanism only exhibited a limited role due to the inhibition of the highly dense lamellar LPSO phase on grain boundaries bulging. After compression, the orientation of residual coarse grains gradually deviated toward the CD. While the recrystallization with limited proportion and random orientation cannot significantly weaken the basal texture.