Formation of an abnormal texture in Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Mn alloy and its effect on mechanical properties by altering extrusion parameters

Abstract The Mg-8Gd-4Y–1Zn–Mn (wt%) alloys prepared by semi-continuous casting and homogenizing treatment were extruded using different extrusion ratios and subsequent cooling processes. The microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of extruded alloys were investigated. The dynamic recrystallization process is promoted by increasing the extrusion ratio, while the static recrystallization process is suppressed by subsequent water cooling rather than air cooling. When the recrystallization ratio is relatively low, the non-recrystallized region showing a fiber 10 1 ‾ 0 >Mg//extrusion direction (ED) texture component dominates the texture characteristic. With the increase of the recrystallization ratio, the recrystallized region exhibiting an abnormal Mg//ED texture gradually dominates the texture characteristic. The grain boundary energy anisotropy and the grain boundary mobility anisotropy are assumed to be changed by the Gd and Y addition, which affect the preferential growth of the abnormal Mg//ED oriented grains and eventually lead to the formation of abnormal texture component. The as-aged alloy extruded at the extrusion ratio of 6 followed by air cooling shows the highest strength. The extruded alloys with an intensive abnormal texture component exhibit the best mechanical isotropy in both as-extruded and as-aged conditions. The differences in strength along different directions are mainly resulted from the fiber strengthening.