Microstructure and tensile behavior of hot extruded AZ91 alloys at room temperature

AZ91 alloys were prepared by hot extrusion and its microstructure and tensile behavior at room temperature were investigated. Compared to as-cast ingot, the grain size of hot-extruded material is morerefined, the intermetallic phase Mg₁₇Al₁₂ is broken and dispersed discontinuously. Both strength and elongation of AZ91 are improved by hotextrusion. Tensile behavior and fracture surface of the experimental material were studied. Due to the change in microstructure, the fracture mechanism of extruded material is different from that of as-cast ingot, the latter is mainly a brittle fracture. Ductile fracture plays arole in hot-extruded AZ91 failure at room temperature.