Tailoring Mechanical Properties of Mg-Al-Zn-Sn-Mn Alloy by Multipass Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Herein, the influence of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) routes, i.e., A and Bc, on the microstructure and texture evolution of a Mg-3.7Al-0.7Zn-0.8Sn-0.4Mn (wt%) alloy is investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is found that with increasing the number of ECAP passes, the area fraction of the dynamically precipitated secondary-phase particles increases, whereas particle size becomes larger. After four and six passes of ECAP via route A, shear deformation induced by ECAP promotes the incline ofc-axes toward extrusion direction (ED). The optimum room temperature (RT) mechanical properties (yield strength of approximate to 225 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of approximate to 312 MPa, and elongation to fracture of approximate to 31.9%) are obtained after four passes of ECAP at 200 degrees C via route A. The improved strength results from fine dynamic recrystallization (DRX)/ed grains, nanoscale secondary-phase particles, and basal texture. Herein, it is indicated that Mg-Al-Zn-Sn alloys have great potential as low-cost high-strength-ductility wrought Mg alloys.

Automated summary

This study investigates the microstructure and texture evolution of a Mg-3.7Al-0.7Zn-0.8Sn-0.4Mn alloy under different ECAP routes, showing that increasing the number of ECAP passes can improve strength and ductility. The optimized mechanical properties can be achieved through proper ECAP processing, indicating the great potential of Mg-Al-Zn-Sn alloys for low-cost high-strength-ductility wrought Mg alloys.