Temperature-Dependent Flow Behavior and Microstructural Evolution During Compression of As-Cast Mg-7.7Al-0.4Zn

The microstructure and mechanical properties improve substantially by hot working. This aspect in as-cast Mg-7.7Al-0.4Zn (AZ80) alloy is investigated by compression tests over temperature range of 30-439°C and at strain rates of 5 × 10^?2, 10^?2, 5 × 10^?4 and 10^?4 s^?1. The stress exponent (n) and activation energy (Q) were evaluated and analyzed for high-temperature deformation along with the microstructures. Upon deformation to a true strain of 0.80, which corresponds to the pseudo-steady-state condition, n and Q were found to be 5 and 151 kJ/mol, respectively. This suggests the dislocation climb-controlled mechanism for deformation. Prior to attaining the pseudo-steady-state condition, the stress-strain curves of AZ80 Mg alloy exhibit flow hardening followed by flow softening depending on the test temperature and strain rate. The microstructures obtained upon deformation revealed dissolution of Mg₁₇Al₁₂ particles with concurrent grain growth of α-matrix. The parameters like strain rate sensitivity and activation energy were analyzed for describing the microstructure evolution also as a function of strain rate and temperature. This exhibited similar trend as seen for deformation per se. Thus, the mechanisms for deformation and microstructure evolution are suggested to be interdependent.