Twins, shear bands and recrystallization of a Mg–2.0%Zn–0.8%Gd alloy during rolling

The microstructural evolution in a Mg–2.0%Zn–0.8%Gd (wt.%) alloy during hot rolling was investigated. {1 0 1¯ 2} twinning and shear bands were found after the rough-rolling process, while only shear bands were found after the finish-rolling process. The shear bands were observed mainly in grains with their c-axis parallel to the normal direction of the rolling sheets and were suggested to have been originated by low-angle boundaries. Continuous dynamic recrystallization occurred around the shear bands as well as within the dynamic recrystallized grains inside the shear bands.