Effect of extrusion strain path on microstructure and properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet

Abstract

The mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets processed by different extrusion strain paths were examined in correlation with concurrent microstructure and texture evolution. The conventional extrusion (CE) and asymmetric extrusion (ASE) paths were performed on Mg alloy sheets. The textures at near surface and mid-layer of ASE sheets were various throughout sheet thickness direction as a result of extra asymmetric shear strain. This can stimulate the orientation of (0002) basal planes to incline approximately 12 toward the shear direction. Moreover, the basal texture of ASE sheet was weakened compared with CE one. Enhancing the ambient formability of extruded Mg alloy sheet fabricated by ASE path was accomplished by the tilted weak basal texture.