Double change channel angular pressing of magnesium alloys AZ31

A new extrusion technique, the double change channel angular pressing (DCCAP), is proposed and applied to the technologically important Mg alloys AZ31. The grains of the alloys are found to be refined remarkably by conducting the DCCAP once, which is attributed to dynamic recrystallization induced by heavily accumulated strain and stress. The grain refinement, together with significantly modified textures and tensile fractures, results in a drastic enhancement of mechanical properties of the AZ31 alloys. This DCCAP technique is believed to be able to serve as an effective processing way to tailor Mg alloys for a wide range of engineering applications.

► A novel extrusion technique is proposed, which can refine the grains of Mg alloys dramatically by processing only once.
► The mechanical properties of the Mg alloys is enhanced greatly as a consequence of the grain refinement.
► Enhanced mechanical properties meet basic needs for practical applications.
► The new extrusion technique is promising for tailoring performances of Mg alloys for many engineering applications.