Experimental and numerical analyses of magnesium alloy hot workability

Due to their hexagonal crystal structure, magnesium alloys have relatively low workability at room temperature. In this study, the hot workability behavior of cast-extruded AZ31B magnesium alloy is studied through hot compression testing, numerical modeling and microstructural analyses. Hot deformation tests are performed at temperatures of 250 °C to 400 °C under strain rates of 0.01 to 1.0 s−1. Transmission electron microscopy is used to reveal the presence of dynamic recrystallization (DRX), dynamic recovery (DRY), cracks and shear bands. To predict plastic instabilities during hot compression tests of AZ31B magnesium alloy, the authors use Johnson-Cook damage model in a 3D finite element simulation. The optimal hot workability of magnesium alloy is found at a temperature (T) of 400 °C and strain rate (ε˙) of 0.01 s−1. Stability is found at a lower strain rate, and instability is found at a higher strain rate.