A two-step processing route for achieving a superplastic forming capability in dilute magnesium alloys

Superplastic ductilities were achieved in a dilute magnesium alloy containing 0.6% Zr through the use of a two-step processing procedure in which the basal planes are initially aligned through extrusion and the grain size is then relined using equal-channel angular pressing. The results show a maximum tensile elongation of >400% at 573 K when using an initial strain rate of 3.3 x 10(-4) s(-1). (C) 2002 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.