Changes of the texture and the mechanical properties of the extruded Mg alloy ME21 as a function of the process parameters

The wrought magnesium alloy ME21, containing cerium as the main rare earth element, is promising for applications as a structural material in the automotive industry, caused by its relatively good hot workability and enhanced ductility at room temperature. This study presents the influence of the billet temperature, the extrusion ratio and the cooling conditions on the crystallographic texture and the mechanical properties of the ME21 extrusion products. The “rare earth effect” and the particle stimulated nucleation of recrystallization, caused by Mg12Ce particles, result in a homogeneous fine-grained microstructure and a weak texture with a texture component with its basal plane oriented at an angle of 40–50° to the extrusion direction. This texture favors basal slip and hence improves the room temperature ductility of the extrusion products resulting in an elongation up to 30% under tension and up to 20% under compression.