Strength and Ductility with Dual Grain-Size and Texture Gradients in AZ31 Mg Alloy

Using surface rotation rolling (SRR) treatment with various vertical loads (120 to 280 N) while maintaining other processing parameters (rotation speed and horizontal velocity), the SRR-treated AZ31 Mg alloy sheets exhibit through-thickness gradients of both grain size and basal texture, as revealed by cross-sectional hardness tests and microstructure analysis. An optimal strength-ductility combination is achieved as the vertical load is around 200 N. The corresponding microstructure exhibits two characters: (1) The affected depth reaches the very center of the sheet and (2) the gradients approach the allowable maximum. Texture gradient is found to be the major contributor to the significant ductility enhancement. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2018