Effect of Rolling Deformation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of an Extruded Mg-Zn-Ca Alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of an as-extruded Mg-4.5Zn-1.1Ca (wt.%) alloy subjected to unidirectional rolling and cross-rolling were compared in the present study. The results indicated that rolling deformation refined the microstructure, dispersed second phases and modified the texture, which resulted in an improvement in the mechanical properties of the as-rolled alloys compared with those of the as-extruded alloy. The yield strength of the Mg-4.5Zn-1.1Ca (wt.%) alloy increased from 173 to 297 MPa after unidirectional rolling. The initial fragmented Ca2Mg6Zn3 phases were further refined after rolling deformation, which clearly restricted the grain growth and gave rise to a fine microstructure. It was also found that rolling deformation intensified the basal texture in comparison with the as-extruded alloy, which was related to particle pinning.