Studies on the improvement of tensile ductility of hot-extrusion AZ31 alloy by subsequent friction stir process

An as-extruded AZ31 alloy was friction stirred to explore the effects of crystallographic texture and twinning factor on the tensile deformation behavior. Compared to the steadily drop of work hardening rate (Δσ/Δɛ) in the as-extruded sample, the work hardening rate in the friction stirred specimen tend to increase after small strains. Based on experimental results the tensile flow curve feature, work hardening rate and an increase in tensile ductility can be correlated with the variations of textural feature. However, in this investigation the emphasis will be on the improvement in tensile ductility of AZ31 alloy by a subsequent friction stir process (FSP).