Texture and structure contribution to low-temperature plasticity enhancement of Mg-Al-Zn-Mn Alloy MA2-1hp after ECAP and annealing

Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) in magnesium alloys due to severe plastic shear deformations provides both grain refinement and the slope of the initial basal texture at 40°–50° to the pressing direction. These changes in microstructure and texture contribute to the improvement of low-temperature plasticity of the alloys. Quantitative texture X-ray diffraction analysis and diffraction of backscattered electrons are used to study the main textural and structural factors responsible for enhanced low-temperature plasticity based on the example of magnesium alloy MA2-1hp of the Mg-Al-Zn-Mn system. The possible mechanisms of deformation that lead to this positive effect are discussed.