The microstructural evolution of AZ61 magnesium alloy predeformed by equal channel angular extrusion（ECAE） during semisolid isothermal treatment（SSIT） was investigated by means of optical metalloscopy and image analysis equipment.The process involved application of ECAE to as-cast alloy at 310 ℃ to induce strain prior to heating in the semisolid region for different time lengths.The results show that extrusion pass,isothermal temperature and processing route have an influence on microstructural evolution of predeformed AZ61 magnesium alloy during SSIT.With the increase of extrusion pass,the solid particle size is reduced gradually.When isothermal temperature increases from 530 ℃ to 560 ℃,the average particle size increases from 22 μm to 35 μm.When isothermal temperature is 575 ℃,the average particle size decreases.The particle size of microstructure of AZ61 magnesium alloy predeformed by ECAE at BC during SSIT is the finest.
New strain induced melt activation（new SIMA） method was employed to prepare high-quality semisolid billet of AZ61 magnesium alloy.Optical microscopy and tensile test were used to study the microstructure and mechanical properties of the thixo-extruded component.The results showed that the optimal process parameters for achieving the complete filling status involved the applied pressure of 784 MPa,the pressure holding time of 90 s and the die temperature of 450 ℃.Compared to semisolid isothermal treatment,high mechanical properties such as the tensile strength of 300.5 MPa and elongation of 22% and fine microstructure were obtained in the thixo-extruded parts.With increasing the isothermal temperature and holding time,the tensile strength and elongation were increased firstly and then decreased.When the press pass was increased from 1 to 4,the tensile strength and elongation of the thixo-extruded parts were greatly enhanced and microstructure was refined obviously.
Effects of process parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of the AM50A magnesium alloy components formed by double control forming （DCF） were investigated via a four-factor and four-level orthogonal experiment. The variable curves of DCF showed that the forging procedure was started in the following 35 ms after the injection procedure was completed. It was confirmed that the high-speed filling and high-pressure densifying were combined together in the DCF process. Better surface quality and higher mechanical properties were achieved in the components formed by DCF as compared to die casting （DC） due to the refined and uniform microstructure with a few defects or without defects. Injection speed affected more effectively the yield strength （YS）, ultimate tensile strength （UTS） and elongation as compared to pouring temperature, die temperature and forging force. But the pouring temperature had a more significant effect on hardness as compared to injection speed, die temperature and forging force. Pouring temperature of 675 ＆#176;C, injection speed of 2.7 m/s and forging force of 4000 kN except for die temperature were the optimal parameters for obtaining the highest YS, UTS, elongation and Vickers hardness. Die temperatures of 205, 195, 195 and 225 ＆#176;C were involved in achieving the highest YS, UTS, elongation and Vickers hardness, respectively. Obvious microporosity and microcracks were found on the fracture surface of the components formed by DC, deteriorating the mechanical properties. However, the tensile fracture morphology of the components formed by DCF was characterized by ductile fracture due to a large number of dimples and no defects, which was beneficial for improving the mechanical properties.
