Key R&D activities for development of new types of wrought magnesium alloys in China

Many researchers in China are actively engaged in the development of new types of wrought magnesium alloys with low cost or with high-performances and novel plastic processing technologies. The research activities are funded primarily through four government-supported programs: the Key Technologies R&D Program of China, the National Basic Research Program of China, the National High-tech R&D Program of China, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The key R&D activities for the development of new wrought magnesium alloys in China are reviewed, and typical properties of some new alloys are summarized. More attentions are paid to high-strength wrought magnesium alloys and high-plasticity wrought magnesium alloys. Some novel plastic processing technologies, emerging in recent years, which aim to control deformation texture and to improve plasticity and formability especially at room temperature, are also introduced.