High-strain-rate superplasticity and microstructural evolution in ECAP-processed Mg–6.5Y–1.2Er–1.6Zn–0.5Ag alloy

Abstract

A warm equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) procedure was applied to a new Mg–6.5Y–1.2Er–1.6Zn (WEZ612)–0.5Ag alloy with a long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase. The microstructure, superplasticity, and deformation mechanism of the WEZ612–0.5Ag alloy were then systematically investigated. Three different precipitation phases formed in the alloy with trace Ag addition, namely LPSO, γ, and nanoprecipitate phases. A remarkable elongation of 726% was attained at 623 K and a strain rate of 0.01 s−1. The strain rate sensitivity index (m) and activation energy (Q) under these deformation conditions were 0.461 and 133.08 kJ mol−1, respectively. These m and Q values confirm that the primary deformation mechanism of the WEZ612–0.5Ag alloy at 623 K was grain boundary sliding assisted by lattice diffusion. The highly stable LPSO phases, γ precipitates, and nanoprecipitates synergistically improved the superplasticity of the alloy by retarding crack propagation and grain growth and by promoting the basal plane slip.

Keywords

• Magnesium alloy
• Superplasticity
• Long-period stacking ordered phase
• Equal-channel angular pressing
• Texture
• Grain boundary sliding