Effect of SiC Nanoparticles on Hot Deformation Behavior and Processing Maps of Magnesium Alloy AZ91

The hot deformation behavior and processing characteristics of AZ91 alloy and nano-SiCp/AZ91 composite were compared at temperature ranges of 523 K-673 K and strain rates of 0.001-1 s-1. Positive impact of SiC nanoparticles on pinning grain boundaries and inhibiting grain growth was not obvious when deformation temperature was below 623 K, but was remarkable when the temperature was above 623 K. By comparing compressive stress-strain curves of AZ91 alloy and nano-SiCp/AZ91 composites, the addition of nanoparticles could improve the deformation ability of a matrix alloy under high-temperature conditions. There was no essential difference of deformation mechanism between AZ91 alloy and the composite, but hot deformation activation energy of the composite was significantly lower than that of the AZ91 alloy. The AZ91 alloy and the composite had the same workability region of 600 K-673 K and 0.001-1 s-1, while instability region for the composite was reduced compared with that of AZ91 alloy at high temperature.