Grain refinement and improved tensile properties of Mg–3Al–1Zn alloy processed by low-temperature indirect extrusion

The microstructure and tensile properties of a Mg–3Al–1Zn alloy processed by low-temperature indirect extrusion utilizing artificial cooling were investigated. Grain refinement from 5.5 to 1.8 μm was attained by the application of artificial cooling, resulting in an increase in yield strength of as much as 50 MPa at room temperature as well as enhanced plasticity with tensile elongations of 200–320% at strain rates in the range of 3.3 × 10−5–1.0 × 10−4 s−1 at 150 °C.