Microstructural and calorimetric analysis of ZK60 alloy processed by ECAP

Abstract

In the last years many research efforts have been made in order to extend the application of wrought magnesium to structural components. One of the methods to improve the mechanical properties of the processed materials is through severe plastic deformation (SPD). ZK60 magnesium alloy samples were subjected to 6 passes of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) decreasing the temperature after the fourth pass, following an alternative route A. The structural characterization was realized by microstructural evolution using Oriented Image Microscopy (OIM) and XRD analysis. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to estimate the stored energy and the recrystallization temperature after each ECAP pass.