Discontinuous Dynamic Recrystallization during Accumulative Back Extrusion of a Magnesium Alloy

The study of nucleation mechanism of new grains during severe plastic deformation of magnesium alloys is of great importance to control the characteristics of final microstructures.  To investigate the role of discontinuous recrystallization, a wrought AZ31 magnesium alloy was deformed by accumulative back extrusion process at 330 °C.  The obtained microstructures were studied using optical and field emission microscopy as well as electron back scattered diffraction techniques.  The results demonstrated that the fine and ultrafine grains formed along the prior grain boundaries yielding a bimodal structure.  The EBSD analysis showed that the new grains exhibit a similar basal texture to deformed grains, which may confirm the operation of strain induced boundary migration mechanism.