Superplasticity and microstructural stability in a Mg alloy processed by hot rolling and friction stir processing

The superplastic behavior of a Mg–1.2 Zn–1.7 Y–0.53 Al–0.27 Mn alloy sheet processed by hot rolling and friction stir processing (FSP) was investigated. The kinetics of superplastic deformation were compared with Mg–3 Al–1 Zn and other Mg–Zn–Y alloys processed by different methods. The FSP Mg–1.2 Zn–1.7 Y–0.53 Al–0.27 Mn alloy exhibits slower kinetics of deformation compared with other alloys. The microstructural stability of the FSP Mg–1.2 Zn–1.7 Y–0.53 Al–0.27 Mn alloy is better than the Mg–3 Al–1 Zn alloy because of the presence of different types of precipitates.