Effects of cryogenic treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-2Nd-4Zn alloy

The effects of cryogenic treatment on the microstructures, precipitates, macro-texture and mechanical behavior of the extruded Mg-2Nd-4Zn alloy were characterized. The results indicated that the cryogenic treatment promote to refine grains and the precipitation of the second phases, which play a vital role on the strength of Mg alloys. The enhancement of plasticity of Mg alloys depends on the activation of base slip, and as well as with the change of macro-texture, which obviously improve plasticity of alloy. Understanding of the macro-texture and microstructures during the cryogenic treatment are of great significance for improving the mechanical properties of Mg alloys.