The microstructure, texture, and room temperature mechanical properties of friction stir processed Mg-Y-Nd alloy

Abstract

The effects of severe plastic straining, in the course of single and multi-pass friction stir processing (FSP), on the microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of an as-extruded WE43 Magnesium alloy are addressed in the present study. The latter was explored by applying a set of 1 and 3-passes FSP trials on the experimental material. The evolved microstructures were characterized through electron backscatter diffraction analyses. The results indicated an extraordinary reduction in grain size in addition to remarkable decrease in second phase volume fraction in the light of preferred strain rate and temperature conditions. The micro-textures of processed specimens were evaluated through plotting the Schmid factor maps and its distribution. The corresponding results showed that the basal planes poles intensity was increased after each step of FSP trials. The prismatic texture analyses also indicated the randomized and weakened distributed planes. The room temperature mechanical properties of the processed materials were also measured using tensile testing technique. The optimization of the strength and ductility values was attributed to the grain refinement, dynamic dissolution of the second phase and the texture strengthening at proper thermomechanical conditions.