Static recrystallization kinetics and texture evolution of low-temperature extruded Mg-Zn-Ca alloy during annealing

A low-alloyed Mg-1.2Zn-0.1Ca alloy was extruded at 150 degrees C, followed by annealing at varying temperatures of 200-300 degrees C. The microstructural evolution and static recrystallization kinetics were investigated. The as-extruded alloy exhibited a bimodal structure consisting of fine recrystallized grains of 0.8 mu m and coarse unrecrystallized grains, with a recrystallized fraction of similar to 67%. The recrystallization process at 250 degrees C was identified to be appropriate with a slow recrystallized grain growth rate. The grains with < 20 (2) over bar1 >, < 20 (2) over bar3 >, <(1) over bar2 (1) over bar2 > and <(2) over bar7 (5) over bar0 > orientations exhibited preferential growth advantages during long-term annealing. Grain boundary segregation exerted a strong Zener pinning effect on the grain boundaries, which not only increased the grain growth activation energy, but also affected the texture evolution.