Effect of transverse gradient extrusion process on texture and mechanical properties of Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy sheets

Transverse gradient extrusion (TGE) processes with different die inclined angles of 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees and 60 degrees were used to produce Mg-3Al-1Zn sheets, thereby tailoring texture and mechanical properties of Mg alloy sheets. Microstructure, deformation texture and final mechanical properties of the obtained sheets were detected and discussed. Furthermore, the rheological behavior of Mg alloys during extrusion was analyzed by finite element method. As the TGE die inclined angle changed, the flow velocity along the transverse direction (TD) and effective strain difference along extrusion direction (ED) were changed during extrusion, and therefore the microstructure and texture of extruded sheets are altered. With increase of TGE die inclined angles, fine grain size and uniform microstructure were obtained. The base poles of most grains for the extruded sheets gradually deviate from normal direction (ND) to ED at center region and inclined from ED to TD at 1/4 edge region. A large elongation of 33.9 % and a low yield stress of 125 MPa can be obtained in the TGE-45 sheet.

Automated summary

In this study, transverse gradient extrusion (TGE) processes with different die inclined angles were used to produce Mg-3Al-1Zn sheets, aiming to tailor their texture and mechanical properties. The microstructure, deformation texture, and final mechanical properties of the obtained sheets were analyzed and discussed. The rheological behavior of Mg alloys during extrusion was also analyzed using the finite element method. The results showed that the TGE die inclined angle influenced the flow velocity and effective strain difference during extrusion, leading to changes in the microstructure and texture of the extruded sheets. Higher TGE die inclined angles resulted in finer grain size and more uniform microstructure. The TGE-45 sheet exhibited a large elongation and low yield stress.