Achieving high ductility and strength in magnesium alloy through cryogenic-hot forming

Magnesium alloys are the lightest structural alloys and have attracted substantial research attention in the past two decades. However, their mechanical properties, including ductility and strength, are limited after forming due to the formation of coarse grains and strong texture. This study proposes and proves a new cryogenic-hot forming process concept. Cryogenic deformation is imposed before the hot deformation. The effect of the cryogenic step has been compared with a conventional direct hot deformation process. The mechanical properties, microstructure, and texture of both the novel and conventional process routes have been compared. The cryogenic-hot deformed sample exhibits the highest ductility and fracture strength (ultimate tensile strength: 321 MPa, ductility: 21 %) due to effective grain refinement and texture weakening by cryogenically formed twin-twin interaction induced recrystallisation. The proposed cryogenic-hot forming process can be a potential innovative manufacturing method for producing high-performance magnesium components.