The influence of selected ECAP-processing routes on the material properties of Magnesium Elektron 675

Due to the continued interest in reducing weight in both automobile and aerospace structures, interest has grown in magnesium based alloys as a possible materials solution. Despite this interest, these alloys have not been widely utilized due to their relatively poor mechanical properties in comparison to other material systems. However, recent research has clearly indicated that improved mechanical properties can be achieved in these alloys through the use of severe plastic deformation processing methods. In this report, we examine the influence of equal channel angular pressing on the mechanical response of Elektron 675, a Mg-Gd-Y alloy. Results indicate that an appreciable increase in total elongation and absorbed energy can be obtained depending on the selected processing route. However, these improvements in elongation are somewhat offset by a slight reduction in tensile strength. The observed mechanical response is explained through microstructural analysis as well as texture measurements.