Enhanced mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets processed by three-directional rolling

AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets were processed using unidirectional rolling (UR) and three-directional rolling (TDR) followed by annealing. Compared with UR, TDR produced finer grain microstructure, weaker basal texture and thus led to a larger Schmid factor at different rolling reductions due to the alternating changing direction of tensile stress and compressive stress during rolling. The mechanical properties, e.g. strength, strength anisotropy and failure elongation of the UR and TDR samples were investigated at room temperature. Enhanced mechanical properties of AZ31 alloy sheets processed by TDR were obtained by grain refinement and weakening basal texture.