Multiscale, Multimodal Characterization of Recrystallized and Non-recrystallized Grains During Recrystallization in a Hot-Compressed Mg–3.2Zn–0.1Ca wt.% Alloy

Abstract

High-strength, lightweight magnesium (Mg) alloys have substantial potential for reducing the weight of automobiles and other transportation systems and thus for improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. However, the strong crystallographic texture of rolled Mg sheet leads to poor formability and anisotropy. In specific non-rare earth Mg alloys, annealing can be used to desirably weaken the texture. Here, we present a multiscale in-situ study on the recovery and recrystallization of an 80% hot-compressed Mg–3.2Zn–0.1Ca wt% (ZX30) alloy using high-resolution 3D X-ray diffraction microscopy (HR-3DXRD) and dark field X-ray microscopy (DFXM). We track more than 8000 non-recrystallized grains during annealing. Relative changes in crystallographic orientation and volume of each recrystallized and non-recrystallized grain are measured as a function of annealing time. Finally, local strain and orientation are measured in the interior of the specific grains with a spatial resolution of 77 nm.KeywordsMagnesiumCharacterizationX-ray diffraction