Simultaneous enhancement of strength and ductility in aged WE43 alloy via introducing precipitation-free zones in elongated grains

In this work, the strength and ductility of a bimodal-grained WE43 alloy are simultaneously improved after aging by introducing precipitation-free zones (PFZs) within elongated grains. These PFZs within elongated grains facilitate non-basal slips with components and enhance deformation compatibility, which result in overcoming the typical strength-ductility trade-off in bimodal-grained Mg alloys. • The strength and ductility of a bimodal-grained WE43 alloy are both improved after aging. • The aging-introduced PFZs in elongated grains break the strength-ductility trade-off. • The PFZs in elongated grains promote non-basal slips with components.