Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Mg-LPSO two phase Mg96Y2Ni2 (at. %) alloy processed by hot extrusion and decreasing-temperature ECAP

The Mg96Y2Ni2 (at. %) alloy containing-50% volume fraction of long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase was processed by extrusion and subsequent equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). A bimodal alpha-Mg matrix with different non-dynamic recrystallized (non-DRXed) proportions and a fully dynamic recrystallized (DRXed) matrix with different grain sizes were obtained by regulating extrusion and ECAP processing parameters, and the relationship between tensile properties and microstructure was investigated. The alloy extruded at 390 degrees C has high area ratio of non-DRXed regions with-35% and low area ratio of DRXed regions with-15%, as well as fine DRXed grains of-0.6 mu m, exhibiting ultrahigh tensile yield strength of 505 MPa and low elongation to failure of 3.5%. The alloy extruded at 450 degrees C exhibited bimodal microstructures containing non-DRXed grains with-13% and DRXed grains with-37%, and DRXed grains with the size of 2.1 mu m, exhibiting tensile yield strength of 400 MPa and elongation to failure of 10%. Fully recrystallized ultra-fine alpha-Mg grains with the size of-0.55 mu m was obtained after extrusion alloy was subjected to ECAP for 8 passes at 400 degrees C and subsequent 4 passes at 300 degrees C. The ultrafine-grained ECAPed alloy obtains tensile yield strength of 450 MPa and elongation to failure of 8%, exhibiting excellent strength-ductility balance. The lower TYS of the ECAPed alloy compared with the alloy extruded at 390 degrees C may be ascribed to the break of the LPSO phase into particles, which do not transfer load as effectively as long strips, as well as the fully DRXed grains with weak texture, which has less strengthening effect than that of the non-DRXed grains with strong basal texture. While the fully recrystallized ultra-fine Mg grains contribute to the increase of elongation to failure. This work provides theoretical guidance for develop of Mg-LPSO two-phase alloys with excellent strength-ductility synergy.

Automated summary

The Mg96Y2Ni2 (at. %) alloy with a volume fraction of 50% of LPSO phase was processed by extrusion and ECAP. Different microstructures of bimodal alpha-Mg matrix and fully dynamic recrystallized matrix were obtained by controlling the processing parameters, and the relationship between microstructure and tensile properties was investigated. The extruded alloy at 390 degrees C showed ultrahigh tensile yield strength but low elongation to failure, while the alloy extruded at 450 degrees C exhibited a balanced strength-ductility behavior. Fully recrystallized ultra-fine Mg grains contributed to the increase of elongation to failure. This work provides theoretical guidance for developing Mg-LPSO two-phase alloys with excellent strength-ductility synergy.