Microstructures and mechanical properties of pure magnesium bars by high ratio extrusion and its subsequent annealing treatment

Pure magnesium bars were prepared by two-pass cumulative high ratio extrusion with as-cast Mg as the original material and then the final as-extruded bars were annealed. The effect of extrusion deformation and annealing treatment on the microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture behaviour of the Mg were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), mechanical properties test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The results show that the grain size is obviously refined by the effect of dynamic recrystallization during the extrusion deformation. Thus the room-temperature mechanical properties and fracture behaviour of the material were significantly improved. After the first extrusion, the coarse as-cast grain size was reduced to 35 mu m, and the yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation of the bar achieved 84 MPa, 189 MPa, and 12%, respectively. After the further extrusion, the YS of as-extruded bar was over 120 MPa; however, the elongation decreased due to work hardening. Finally the grain size of the as-extruded bar was 9-10 mu m after annealing treatment, and its YS, UTS and elongation of the bar achieved 124 MPa, 199 MPa, and 10.7%, respectively. The microstructures and mechanical performance of the material were enhanced obviously.