Enhanced mechanical properties due to grain refinement and texture modification in an AZ61 Mg alloy processed by small strain impact forging

A newly proposed small strain impact multi-directional forging (SSIMDF) was successfully applied to a commercial AZ61 magnesium alloy. This study demonstrates that SSIMDF combined with aging is a simple and highly efficient approach to synchronously enhance strength and ductility. SSIMDF resulted in a full recrystallized microstructure with an average grain size of 16 μm and much weakened double-peak texture, thereby significantly enhancing the tensile properties. The SSIMDFed sample exhibited an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 310 MPa and an elongation of 26%. The subsequent aging treatment further enhanced the UTS up to 327 MPa with a reduction of elongation to 19% due to lots of β-Mg17Al12 precipitation.