Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Mg-10.37Gd-3.66Y-2.27Zn-0.52Zr Alloy during Reciprocating Upsetting-Extrusion

Abstract

The homogenized Mg-10.37Gd-3.66Y-2.27Zn-0.52Zr alloy was subjected to multi-passes reciprocating upsetting extrusion (RUE) deformation with variable temperature. The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of as-homogenized and RUEed samples were investigated. The results showed that the area fraction of DRX grains gradually increased via the continuous consumption of coarse grains containing lamellar LPSO, and the content of the bulk LPSO phases gradually decreased due to continuous fragmentation. After three passes deformation, the microstructure was almost composed of completely DRXed grains. The LPSO phases with different morphologies were coordinated deformation by kinking, tearing, etc during RUE process. It is worth noting that after four passes, the lamellar LPSO phase did not disappear, but mixed with the fine DRXed grains together. In addition, a mass of particles were produced after each low temperature deformation, indicating that reducing the deformation temperature is beneficial to the dynamic precipitation. The yield tensile strength (TYS), Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and fracture elongation (FE) of four passes deformed alloy reached 372.6 MPa, 320.8 MPa, 8.1%, respectively. The improvement of mechanical properties is attributed to the two main strengthening mechanisms: grain refinement and LPSO strengthening.