Superplastic behavior of a fine-grained ZK60 magnesium alloy processed by high-ratio differential speed rolling

Grain size of the ZK60 alloy was effectively reduced to 1∼2 μm through high-ratio differential speed rolling (HRDSR) for a thickness reduction of 70% in a single pass. Due to the strengthening effects of grain boundaries and particles, the HRDSR processed ZK60 exhibited a high tensile strength of 340 MPa. Low temperature superplasticity was attained at 473–493 K at low strain rates (5 × 10−4 s−1) and high strain rate superplasticity was attained at 523–553 K at high strain rates (10−2 s−1). The optimum superplastic temperature was found to be 553 K where a maximum tensile elongation of ∼1000% was obtained at 1 × 10−3 s−1. The deformation behavior of the HRDSR processed ZK60 at elevated temperatures could be depicted by considering contribution of grain boundary sliding and slip creep to total plastic flow. Difference in superplastic deformation behavior between the HRDSR processed and equal channel angular press processed ZK60 alloys was examined and discussed.