Microstructure and mechanical properties of magnesium alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP)

Abstract

Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) with different passes was carried out for Mg-Al-Mn (AM) series magnesium alloy to investigate the microstructure and mechanical properties. ECAP process was carried up to 4 passes using route B<inf>C</inf>, where the samples are rotated by 90° in the same direction between consecutive passes. Microstructures were studied using optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and it was observed that the grain size was reduced from 100 μm to 1 μm after 4 passes. Tensile test was conducted and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased up to 2 passes but decreased with higher passes, even though grain size became finer with increase in ECAP passes. Microhardness was carried out and it was observed that the hardness was increased up to 2 passes of ECAP and decreased with higher passes. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd.