Improving the mechanical properties of extruded Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy by cold pre-forging

This study demonstrates that cold pre-forging (CPF) conducted before extrusion is a promising means for improving the mechanical properties of extruded magnesium alloys. The CPF process induces numerous twins in the billet, which in turn provides nucleation sites for dynamic recrystallization during extrusion, leading to an increase in the dynamically recrystallized (DRXed) fraction of the extruded alloy. This process increases the uniformity of the DRXed grain structure, thereby improving the strength and ductility of the extruded alloy. (c) 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.