Achieving high strength and high ductility in magnesium alloys using severe plastic deformation combined with low-temperature aging

Abstract

A novel method of fabricating age-hardenable magnesium alloys with high strength and high ductility was developed using high-ratio differential speed rolling combined with low-temperature aging. The ultrafine-grained Mg-9Al-1Zn alloy processed by this technique exhibited a high yield stress of >400 MPa and tensile elongations of 12-14%. The high strength could be attributed to grain size and particle strengthening effects, while the high ductility could be attributed to weakening of the basal texture component. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.