Mechanical properties and microstructures of a wrought AZ91 alloy

The effects of hot plastic deformation on microstructures and tensile properties of AZ91 alloy were investigated. Compared with as-T4 microstructures, the as-extruded samples of AZ91 alloy with fine grains exhibit better strength and ductility due to dynamic recrystallization. The succeeded rotation forging also provides finer grains while the strength increases, but the elongation decreases. Simultaneously, wrought AZ91 alloy shows more balance properties than as-T4 condition ones. An interesting elongation of 228.5% is attained in the as-extruded AZ91 alloy in spite of the coarse grains with the size of 85 μm. The two-step method enhances the superplastic property of AZ91 alloy. The microstructure is still keeping the same scale of grains after superplastic testing.