Study of Mg-Y-Zn rod produced by ECAP powder compaction

Ternary Mg-Y-Zn alloys have attracted considerable attention of researchers due to their excellent mechanical properties and unique microstructures. Microstructural variation and the resulting mechanical properties can be affected by various processing routes, particularly those involving severe plastic deformation. A relatively common approach to producing improved nanostructured magnesium alloys is based on consolidation of nanostructured powders by extrusion. A significant improvement in compaction of magnesium powders can be achieved if equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) with back-pressure is used instead of conventional extrusion. ECAP of magnesium-based powders produced by high-energy ball milling to fully dense product can open up an avenue for developing novel alloy compositions with highly non-equilibrium local elemental concentrations not achievable through solidification from the melt. In this work, a study of microstructure and properties of a billet produced from Mg₉Y₂Zn₁ alloy powder by ECAP-compaction with subsequent annealing was carried out. As an outcome a promising thermomechanical processing route leading to high strength and sufficient ductility was suggested.