Recrystallization mechanism of as-cast AZ91 magnesium alloy during hot compressive deformation

Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior of as-cast AZ91 magnesium alloy during hot compression at 300 degrees C and the strain rate of 0.2 s(-1) was systematically investigated by electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) analysis. Twin DRX and continuous DRX (CDRX) are observed in grains and near grain boundaries, respectively. Original coarse grains are firstly divided by primary {1 0 (1) over bar 2} tensile twins and {1 0 (1) over bar 1} compression twins, and then {1 0 (1) over bar 1}-{1 0 (1) over bar 2} double twins are rapidly propagated within these primary compression twins with increasing compressive strain. Some twin-walled grains are formed by the mutual crossing of twins or by the formation of the {1 0 (1) over bar 1}-{1 0 (1) over bar 2} double twins and furthermore, subgrains divided by low-grain boundaries in the double twins are also formed. Finally, DRXed grains are formed by the in situ evolution of the subgrains with the growth of low-angle boundaries to high-angle grain boundaries in twins. CDRX around the eutectic Mg17Al12 phases at grain boundaries occurs together with the precipitation of discontinuous Mg17Al12 phase and the fragmentation of the precipitates during compression. The discontinuous fragmented precipitates distribute at the newly formed CDRXed grain boundaries and have remarkable pinning effect on the CDRXed grain growth, resulting in the average grain size of about 1.5 mu m. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.