Calorimetric analysis of a Mg-Zn-Zr alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing via route A

Abstract

Being the lightest structural element, magnesium a nd its alloys has attracted significant interest in the last years, but because of its hexa gonal close packed structure, magnesium presents relatively low strength and ductility. One of the m ethods to improve the mechanical properties of the processed materials is through Severe Plastic D eformation (SPD). ZK60 magnesium alloy samples were subjected to 4 passes of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at a processing temperature of 250°C, following route A. The micros tructure was determined with an Olympus BX51 optical microscope. Differential Scanning Calo rimetry (DSC) was used to estimate the stored energy and the recrystallization temperature after each ECAP pass