An investigation into the hot ductility behavior of AZ81 magnesium alloy

► Investigation of the hot ductility behavior in AZ81 alloy to characterize the ductility drops. ► Detrimental effect of grain boundary sliding on ductility values due to the resulting W-type cracks. ► DRX and CGBS as the main factor increasing the ductility at higher temperatures. ► Significant effect of γ precipitates on crack propagation in AZ81 alloy. ► The sharp ductility drop at very low strain rates due to the incipient melting of γ phase.