The role of Zr-rich cores in strength differential effect in an extruded Mg–Zn–Zr alloy

This work examines the effects of extrusion parameters namely ratio and temperature on recrystallization behavior of a Mg–Zn–Zr alloy, and their consequent effects on anisotropy in the mechanical properties. Upon extrusion, the characteristic Zr-rich cores that do not recrystallize form the so-called “soft stringers” which are deformed bands elongated in the extrusion direction and curled around the extrusion axis. At higher extrusion ratio, there is more twinning contribution and the DRX response is improved, making the recryatallized grains finer and increasing the proportion of recrystallized Zr-rich cores. A basal texture after extrusion and the directional activation of tensile twinning cause anisotropy in the mechanical properties. In addition, the microstructural features such as large unrecrystallized regions and coarse crystallized grains also contribute in the strength differential effect. Further slip in the strain-hardened unrecrystallized grains is inhibited while twin activation under favorable orientation becomes easier in the coarse recrystallized grains. A higher proportion of large unrecrystallized and coarse crystallized gains in the case of lower extrusion ratio result in a much higher strength differential effect (∼100 MPa) in comparison to the one caused by the crystallographic texture only (∼25 MPa).