Influence of different rolling routes on the microstructure evolution and properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets

• Three rolling routes were carried out on AZ31 alloy.
• Route B and Route C rolling produced finer recrystallized grains and weaker basal texture.
• Route B and Route C rolling produced larger Schmid factor than Route A rolling.
• Route B and Route C rolled samples exhibited higher tensile strengths and fracture elongations.
• Route B and Route C rolling effectively enhanced the formability of AZ31 alloy at room temperature.

Influence of three rolling routes on the microstructure evolution and properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets was investigated. Route A is unidirectional rolling where the rolling direction is always the same, Route B is cross rolling where each rolling direction changes at 90° and Route C where the rolling direction is changed by 45° around the normal direction after each cross rolling. The results indicate that compared with the Route A rolled sample, the Route B and Route C rolled samples produce finer recrystallized grains and weaker basal texture due to the alternating changing direction of tensile stress and compressive stress during rolling. The average Schmid factors of the Route B and Route C rolled samples are also greatly increased due to the significantly weakened basal texture. Furthermore, the Route B and Route C rolled samples exhibit higher tensile strengths, larger fracture elongations and higher Erichsen values than Route A rolled sample, which can be attributed to the finer grains and weaker basal texture.