Achieving high strength in commercial Mg cast alloys through large strain rolling

The room temperature strength of two commercial cast Mg alloys, AZ91 and AM60, processed by severe rolling and accumulative roll bonding (ARB), was investigated. It has been found that a simple one-step large strain rolling process can be used to fabricate sheets that are both extraordinarily strong and remarkably ductile at room temperature. Subsequent rolling passes by accumulative roll bonding (ARB) lead to further (albeit less pronounced) increases in strength without a significant loss of ductility. The strengthening is attributed to the stabilization of a basal-type texture as well as to the occurrence of significant grain refinement.