Investigation of texture, microstructure, and mechanical properties of a magnesium–lanthanum alloy after thermo-mechanical processing

Abstract

Abstract The texture, microstructure, and mechanical properties of Mg-1.33La (wt.%) alloy after hot rolling and cold plane strain compression were investigated by using X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and micro-hardness measurements. This thermo-mechanical processing resulted in a relative weakening of the texture that was mainly a basal type. The microstructures after hot rolling and cold plane strain compression revealed the presence of a second phase (Mg17La2), mostly at grain boundaries. Twins were profuse, and their morphologies were quite different after hot rolling and cold plane strain compression. The Mg-1.33La (wt.%) alloy exhibited good room temperature formability and an increase in strength. The alloy's hardness increased with increasing deformation strain. Such properties were explained by the effect of both the Mg17La2 phase precipitation and the sample's texture.