Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of a high strength Mg-11.7Gd-4.9Y-0.3Zr (wt%) alloy prepared by pre-deformation annealing, hot extrusion and ageing

A high strength Mg-11.7Gd-4.9Y-0.3Zr (wt%) alloy with a weak tension-compression yield asymmetry has been successfully developed by pre-deformation annealing, hot extrusion and ageing. The effects of pre-deformation annealing on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties are studied. The results reveal that pre-deformation annealing generates a large number of Mg5RE (RE: rare-earth) phase particles and raises the fraction of dynamic recrystallization (DRX). The preformed Mg5RE particles not only enhance the DRX by particle simulated nucleation (PSN), but also facilitate the continuous DRX (C-DRX) by promoting the grain subdivision during hot extrusion. Without pre-deformation annealing, the as-extruded alloy exhibits a high tensile yield strength (TYS) of 376 +/- 9.6 MPa but a low elongation to failure (EL) of 4.3 +/- 0.1% due to the bimodal microstructure consisting of coarse un-DRXed grains with strong basal texture and fine DRXed grains with weak basal texture. After T5 treatment, the TYS further increases to 500 +/- 5.5 MPa, whereas the EL reduces to 2.7 +/- 0.4%. An excellent balance of strength and ductility (TYS of 343 +/- 0.2 MPa and EL of 9.3 +/- 0.9%) can be realized by pre-deformation annealing for 1 h due to the raised fraction of DRX and the weakened basal texture. T5 treatment further increases the TYS to 446 +/- 3.8 MPa but reduces the EL to 3.0 +/- 0.2%. The studied alloy exhibits good compressive performance, resulting in a weak tension-compression yield asymmetry. The grain refinement, Mg5RE and beta' phases, and solute-segregated SFs contribute to the alloy strengthening.