EVOLUTION OF PRECIPITATE MORPHOLOGY DURING EXTRUSION IN Mg ZK60A ALLOY

Abstract

In this study, a continuously casted ZK60A magnesium alloy (Mg-Zn-Zr) was extruded in two different extrusion ratios, 6:1 and 10:1. The evolution of precipitates was investigated on the two extruded materials and compared with that of as-casted material. The microstructural analysis was performed by electron backscatter diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, and the compositional information was obtained using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Several distinct morphologies of precipitates were observed, such as dot, rod, and disk shaped. The formation mechanisms of those precipitates were discussed with respect to the heat and strain during the extrusion process.