Effect of grain refinement on mechanical and corrosion behavior of AZ91 magnesium alloy processed by ECAE

Abstract

Abstract AZ91 Mg alloys were processed by equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) up to 4 passes through route-R. The increase in number of ECAE passes to yield fine-grain structure in the bulk Mg alloy with a more dislocation density, this enhances mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Indeed, microstructural observations revealed an equiaxed and significant grain refinement after ECAE-4P, with a mean grain size (d) of ∼ 4.36μm. Further, the tensile strength, micro-hardness and corrosion resistance were also increased, however the elongation was reduced with the increasing of ECAE passes. The electrochemical polarization test in 3.5wt % NaCl solution revealed a noticeable enhancement in the corrosion resistance of ECAE processed AZ91 Mg alloy compared with the as-received Mg alloy. This is mainly due to grain refinement and distribution of secondary phase particles in Mg alloy matrix during ECAE-4P.