The effect of Equal Channel Angular Pressing process on the microstructure of AZ31 Mg alloy strip shaped specimens

Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) is one of the most applicable Sever Plastic Deformation (SPD) processes which leads to strength and ductility improvement through the grain refining and development of a suitable texture. In this study, after designing and manufacturing a suitable die, 4 pass ECAP process at route C is done on strip shaped specimens of AZ31 magnesium alloy in order to achieve desirable microstructural and mechanical properties. Microstructure then got studied through the optical microscopy. Results show that mean grain size is decreased and grain size distribution got close to normal distribution state by increasing the pass number. However, the grain size is reduced by increasing of ECAP temperature. Copyright 2013, National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys of China, Chongqing University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.