Wrought magnesium alloys for structural applications

Abstract

Wrought magnesium alloys are of special interest as lightweight structural components as a result of their more homogeneous microstructures and improved mechanical properties compared to cast components. Extrusion as a shaping technology offers the possibility to produce a wide variety of magnesium alloy profiles. In this contribution, the authors describe the role of extrusion parameters such as extrusion rate, ratio and temperature as well as the type of extrusion process on the microstructure of AZ series magnesium alloys and the resulting mechanical properties. The effect of microstructure on the tensile/compression deformation behaviour of the alloys has also been investigated. In a further step, extruded material has been used in die forging experiments. Aspects of alloy development and process optimisation designed to overcome technical and economic limitations and thus establish magnesium alloy profiles for industrial applications will also be discussed.