Microstructure and properties of magnesium alloy processed by a new severe plastic deformation method

A new severe plastic deformation (SPD) method called C shape equal channel reciprocating extrusion (CECRE) was developed to fabricate fine grained AZ31 Mg alloys. The results show that homogeneous microstructure with mean grain size of 3.6 μm is obtained as the accumulated true strain is increased to 11. Strain localization leading to dynamic recrystallizaion (DRX) occurring is the main reason for grain refinement during CECRE process. At the same time, the hardness of AZ31 alloy increases from 62.6 of as-extruded to 74.6 of CECRE 4 passes.