Microstructure and mechanical properties of multi-directionally forged Mg–Al–Zn alloy

A Mg–Al–Zn alloy was multi-directionally forged at room temperature to cumulative strains of ΣΔe = 2.0. The coarse initial grains were gradually subdivided into ultrafine ones by mechanical twins. A small pass strain of Δe = 0.1 was employed and generations of twins effectively suppressed the development of sharp textures, enabling severe plastic deformation at ambient temperature. Tensile testing revealed an excellent balance of mechanical properties: 480 MPa yield stress, 525 MPa ultimate tensile strength and 5% plastic strain to fracture.