Effects of Hot Extrusion and Heat Treatment on Mechanical Properties and Microstructures of AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

The effects of heat treatment on the microstructure, tensile property and fracture behavior of as-extruded AZ91 magnesium alloy were studied with OM and SEM. The results show that the grains of as-cast AZ91 alloy are refined by hot extrusion due to dynamic recrystallization, and the mechanical properties are improved obviously. The ductility is significantly enhanced after solution treatment of the as-extruded AZ91 alloy, tensile strength is almost the same as before, and hardness is significantly reduced after solution treatment and artificial aging treatment. The tensile strength reduced and the ductility is significantly enhanced of as-extruded after annealing processes. The fracture surface of as-extruded AZ91 magnesium alloy has the mixed modes of ductile and brittle characteristics. But after T6 or annealing treatment, the dimple number increases evidently. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of International Materials Science Society.