Influence of equal channel angular pressing routes on texture, microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded AX41 magnesium alloy
Abstract
The influence of three different equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) routes (A, Bc and C) on the grain size, texture, dislocation structure and mechanical properties in pre-extruded AX41 magnesium alloy was investigated. It was found that during the first passes, the rate of grain fragmentation strongly depends on the processing route.
After 8 passes, despite the almost identical values of the dislocation density (0.7 x 10(14) m(-2)), the average grain size varied in the range of 2.0-4.5 mu m for the individual ECAP routes. Macroscopic texture measurements revealed a gradual formation of very strong textures, which were significantly different for the various processing routes.
The strength and the ductility of the samples were investigated by tensile test carried out parallel to the outgoing channel axis. Route A was found to be the most effective processing route for grain refinement.
In tensile tests carried out at room and elevated temperatures, the highest strength was observed for the sample processed via route A for 8 passes, due to the highest texture hardening and the smallest grain size.