PNNL

Abstract

In recent years magnesium alloys have attracted significant attention as potential candidates to replace many of the heavier metals used in some automotive applications. However, the limited formability of magnesium and its alloys at room temperature has driven interest in the superplastic forming magnesium as an alternative shaping method. Severe plastic deformation techniques have become a well studied method of refining the grain size and modifying the microstructural characteristics of many magnesium alloys to achieve greater superplastic properties. In this study twin roll cast (TRC) AZ31 magnesium alloy was subjected to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and friction stir welding (FSW). The influence of these severe plastic deformation processes on the grain size, texture and grain boundary character distribution was investigated to identify the optimum severe plastic deformation process for the superplastic forming of AZ31.