Annealing behaviour of Mg–3Al–1Zn alloy sheet obtained by a combination of high-temperature rolling and subsequent warm rolling

The recrystallization and grain growth behaviour of Mg–3Al–1Zn alloy sheets with a deformation microstructure, obtained by a combination of high-temperature rolling and subsequent warm rolling, was investigated at different stages of annealing. The basal texture was significantly weakened as a result of the formation of new grains with a largely altered c-axis orientation relative to the initial basal orientation owing to discontinuous static recrystallization during primary recrystallization. The new grains nucleated mostly at the pre-existing grain boundaries rather than at the intersections of twins or within the twins. Subsequent grain growth led to further progression of the texture weakening accompanied by an enhancement in the basal pole inclination.

Research highlights
► The AZ31 alloy sheet obtained by a combination of high-temperature rolling and subsequent warm rolling exhibits a different annealing behaviour from those generally observed in Mg alloys.
► New grains with a largely altered c-axis orientation nucleate mostly at the pre-existing grain boundaries leading to a significant weakening of the basal texture during primary recrystallization.
► Subsequent grain growth prompts the texture weakening further accompanied by an enhancement in the basal pole inclination.