Effect of strain path change on static recrystallization behavior of AT63 magnesium alloy

The present work has examined the influence of strain path change on the static recrystallization process of Mg-6Al-3Sn (AT63) magnesium alloy. The samples were deformed at ambient temperature for three conditions; unidirectional rolling (UDR), clock cross rolling (CCR), and forging. The microstructural features of deformed and recrystallized samples at different conditions were characterized through optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), hardness testing, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results suggest that the recrystallization predominately started at the prior grain boundaries and within the twin boundaries. A significant reduction of the grain size from 83 mu m to similar to 7 mu m was observed after recrystallization. The recrystallization kinetics was relatively slower for CCR samples. It was attributed to the level of stored energy in the material, initial deformation texture, and evolution of fine precipitates.