Achieving exceptional strength-ductility synergy in AZ31 magnesium alloy via a novel forward extrusion combined with continuous angular extrusion

A novel forward extrusion combined with continuous angular extrusion (FECAE) process is developed to synchronously achieve grain refinement and basal texture modification in AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets. The results show that the total effective strain applied by the FECAE process exceeded 5, thereby effectively refining the grains and weakening the basal texture. After FECAE at 350 °C, the average grain size is refined to 1.89 μm, and the basal texture shows a characteristic 45° tilt distribution. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and fracture elongation along three directions along three directions range from 229 MPa to 263 MPa, 361 MPa to 378 MPa and 18.0 % to 21.8 %, respectively, exhibiting greatly suppressed mechanical anisotropy. Increasing the extrusion temperature to 400 °C and 450 °C further weakens the basal texture, but causes grain growth and a moderate reduction in strength. The FECAE-processed AZ31 alloy exhibits a superior balance of strength and ductility compared with those fabricated by rolling, extrusion, and other severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods.