Dynamic recrystallization in AZ31 magnesium alloy

The effects of temperature and strain rate, as the most important thermomechanical processing (TMP) parameters, on the microstructural evolution of AZ31 magnesium alloy were studied. This was performed applying hot compression tests at a temperature range of 250-450 degrees C with various strain rates. The results indicated that the amount and the size of dynamically recrystallized grains are increased as Zener-Hollomon parameter decreased. In addition, the evolution of dynamically recrystallized grains was examined with increasing strain. In general, the amount of dynamically recrystallized grain is observed to increase with strain in a sigmoidal form. However, the related grain size was remained constant as strain increased. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.