Strength enhancement of magnesium alloy through equal channel angular pressing and laser shock peening

Abstract

AM80 magnesium alloy was processed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing up to 2 passes under route BC and C, to study the effect of change in microstructure. Microstructures were examined under optical microscope. Samples processed by route BC showed heterogeneous grain structure with good tensile strength compared to that processed by route C. Tensile tests of 2-pass equal channel angular pressed samples showed high tensile strength under route BC. Laser shock peening without coating was carried out on route BC sample for further grain refinement on the surface. Laser pulses with power density of 8 GW cm−2, under different percentages of cover, were used to peen the surface at high strain rate. Microstructures were analysed through scanning and transmission electron microscope, and fine grains of less than 100 nm were observed. Tensile tests indicated that the laser shock peened samples had increased strength and ductility. Fracture details from tensile tested specimens, were examined under SEM. Mixed mode of brittle and ductile fractures was observed in ECAP processed samples. Fracture surface of Laser shock peening without coating treated on equal channel angular pressed samples showed small dimples near the peened surface and intensity of dimples increased with increase in percentage of cover. Wear test was carried out on before and after Laser shock peening without coating processed samples, on pin-on-disc wear test machine. Increase in friction coefficients and wear rate was observed due to roughness induced by peening effect and it decreased after increase in sliding distance due to increase in hardness. Nano indentation experiments were carried out to examine the mechanical characterization at nano level, and it expose the effect of LSPwC in terms of increase in hardness at peened region.