Prior to thixoextrusion, the microstructural evolution of semi-solid AM50A magnesium alloy prepared by the recrystallisation and partial remelting (RAP) route was investigated.The effect of compressive ratio on microstructure of semi-solid AM50A magnesium alloy was studied.Furthermore, tensile properties of thixoextruded components were determined.The results showed that the occurrence of recrystallised grains was closely associated with the location of the first liquid formed above the solidus.With prolonging holding time, deformed microstructure was penetrated, causing fragmentation, which resulted in the decrease of average grain size.Moreover, prolonging holding time was favorable for the improvement of the degree of spheroidization due to the increase in the amount of liquid.With the increase in compressive ratio, the size of solid grain decreased, the degree of spheroidization was improved during partial remelting, and the tensile properties of thixoextruded AM50A components were improved.The tensile properties for AM50A magnesium alloy thixoextruded from starting material produced by the RAP route were better than those of the same alloy produced by die-casting and thixomolding.
Machined chips of Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloy were consolidated by cold pressing and then hot extrusion under various processing temperatures and extrusion ratios. The results show that the microstructure of the chip-extruded alloy is marked by a large number of recrystallized grains and some unrecrystallized grains, which results in high strength but low ductility at temperatures below 320 ℃. With increasing processing temperature up to 360 ℃, entirely recrystallized and equiaxed grains are obtained. Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloy with low strength but high ductility is obtained compared with the alloy processed at low temperature. At 420℃, coarse and equiaxed grains are formed, which results in the drastic decrease of mechanical properties. With increasing extrusion ratio from 8 to 16, the grain refinement is more obvious and the mechanical properties at room temperature are improved effectively. However, the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength are improved a little with further increasing extrusion ratio.
