Microstructure and Texture Evolution During the Alternate Extrusion of an AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

In this study, a new extrusion process, alternate extrusion (AE), is proposed. We evaluated the reliability and superiority of this process in practical applications by conducting a simulation using the finite element method, which confirmed the experimental results. The microstructure characteristics of an AZ31 magnesium alloy produced by conventional extrusion (CE) and AE were investigated by electron backscattered diffraction and optical microscopy, and the effects of the microstructures on the mechanical properties were studied across the extruded specimens. The main advantage of AE is that the load is reduced to less than half that in the CE process; this results from the reduced cross-section of the split punches. Additionally, the grain size with AE is more refined than with CE because of the additional shear force, which improves the mechanical properties of the alloys. Furthermore, AE can also weaken the intensity of the basal plane texture.