Abstract:Four different routes of asymmetric reduction rolling were conducted on AZ31 magnesium alloy to investigate their effect on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties. Route A is the forward rolling; while during routes B and C the sheets are rotated 180o in rolling direction and normal direction, respectively; route D is the unidirectional rolling. The strain states of rolled sheets were analyzed by the finite element method, while the microstructure and texture were observed using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron back-scattered diffraction techniques, and the mechanical properties were measured by tensile test. The results show that route D produced the largest effective strain. Compared with other samples, sample D exhibited a homogeneous microstructure with fine grains as well as a weak and tilted texture, in corresponding, it performed excellent tensile properties, which suggested that route D was an effective way to enhance the strength and plasticity of AZ31 sheet.

Key words: AZ31 Mg alloy; asymmetric reduction rolling; rolling route; finite element analysis; mechanical properties