Optimization of mechanical and damping properties of Mg–0.6Zr alloy by different extrusion processing

In this study, the optimization of mechanical and damping capacities of Mg-0.6 wt.% Zr alloys by controlling the recrystallized (DRXed) grain size under varying extrusion processing parameters including extrusion temperature T and strain rate ε˙ was investigated. The relationship between the DRXed grain size and damping properties of the studied alloy was also discussed. The DRXed grain size of the as-extruded Mg–Zr alloys decreased as the extrusion temperature T decreased and the strain rate ε˙ increased. As the DRXed grain size decreased, the strength and elongation of the as-extruded alloys exhibited improved performance through the grain refinement mechanism, while the damping properties deteriorated. The extrusion temperature of the Mg–Zr alloy had relatively greater effects on the mechanical and damping properties than the strain rate. The results of the present work indicate that alloys with appropriate mechanical and damping properties may be obtained from controlling the DRXed grain size by careful tailoring of the extrusion process parameters.