The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Sn-based alloy processed by differential-thermal equal channel angular pressing

Numerous studies of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) considered the sample and mould temperatures as a whole, ignoring their different control effects during ECAP deformation. In this paper, the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Sn-Zn-Zr (TZK) alloys were investigated after ECAP deformation at different mould and sample temperatures. The results revealed that higher mould temperatures controlled the actual deformation temperatures and lower sample temperatures prevented grain growth during preheating. After ECAP deformation at mould temperature of 300 °C and sample temperature of room temperature, the alloy consisted of abundant dynamical recrystallisation grains, with an elongation of 30% and a strength of 251.49 MPa. This study would provide a novel idea for the optimisation of the ECAP process.