The influence of initial microstructure and temperature on the deformation behavior of AZ91 magnesium alloy

The deformation behavior of AZ91 magnesium alloy has been investigated using uniaxial compression tests at a temperature range of 100–300 °C. The different processing routes including homogenization treatment, hot rolling and annealing have been employed to study the effect of initial microstructure on the compressive mechanical response of the AZ91 alloy. The results show that the hot-rolled material presents an enhanced compressive workability at temperatures as low as 100 °C. The experimental alloy exhibit dynamic recrystallization during compression in any of the initial microstructures. The maximum and minimum DRX (dynamic recrystallization) fraction has been obtained in hot-rolled and homogenized conditions, respectively. The recrystallized fraction increases with raising the temperature. In addition the effect of initial microstructure on the peak stress diminishes with increasing temperature while its effect on the peak strain remains remarkable. The softening fraction has been increased with temperature, where a pronounced effect has been recorded in the case of homogenized (un-rolled) material.