Influence of ECAP routes on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–Ca alloy

Mg–5.25 wt.% Zn–0.6 wt.% Ca alloy was subjected to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 250 °C using route A, Bc and C, respectively, in order to investigate the effect of shearing strain path on microstructure, texture and mechanical properties. Route Bc was the most effective in grain refinement and generating high angle grain boundaries, while route A was the least effective. Different textures were developed when a different ECAP route was applied. After ECAP using route A, the tensile yield strength (TYS) got much higher than those of the as-extruded alloy, which was primarily resulted from the strengthening due to the grain refinement. Because the Schmid factor for basal slip system was changed only a little, the texture soften effect was not obvious. After ECAP using route C, TYS of the Mg alloy was significantly decreased although the grain size was significantly refined, because the texture softening effect was dominant over the strengthening due to the grain refinement.