Hardness evolution of AZ80 magnesium alloy processed by HPT at different temperatures

Discs of an extruded AZ80 magnesium alloy were processed by high-pressure torsion (HPT) using 6.0 GPa up to 10 turns at different temperatures (296 K and 473 K). The disc surfaces and cross-sectional planes were examined before and after processing using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Vickers microhardness (Hv). The microhardness results at the surface show differences in the strength of the material as a function of distance from the disc centres up to saturation, as well as a function of distance from the bottom to the surface in the cross-sectional plane. This study analyses the effect of processing temperature on the evolution of microhardness in the AZ80 magnesium alloy processed by high-pressure torsion.