Grain refinement in AZ31 alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing

Purpose: of this paper was to investigate the effect of grain refinement in AZ31 magnesium alloy processed by ECAP and to study microstructure evolution and hardness response of AZ31 alloy associated with ECAP processing. Design/methodology/approach: The microstructure of AZ31 magnesium alloy after two passes of equal channel angular pressing at 150°C, 180°C and 250°C was studied by means of metallographic and transmission electron microscopy. The hardness changes after ECAP processing were determined by Vickers hardness. Findings: The grain refinement in AZ31 magnesium alloy was successfully carried out using ECAP processing at 150, 180 and 250 °C. The grain size decreases nearly 10 times after 2 passes of ECAP at 150 and 180°C, but microstructure is characterized by bimodal grains structure. The rather homogenous grains were achieved after ECAP processing at 250°C. Processes of dynamic recrystallization during ECAP were observed. The hardness increase related to grain refinement proceeded by ECAP is in accordance with Hall-Petch relationship. Research limitations/implications: The ECAP processing were carried out only after 2 passes, therefore in order to describe in detail the microstructural changes connected with grain refinement, the analysis of more passes of ECAP processing should be done. Practical implications: The development of highly ductile magnesium alloys allows to apply these materials as structural materials. The grain refinement of materials leads to the significant improvement of the mechanical properties and plasticity. The present results extend the knowledge about grain refinement in AZ31 alloy proceeded by ECAP. Originality/value: The microstructural studies of AZ31 alloy after grain refining by ECAP processing performed by transmission electron microscopy were presented.