Lately, magnesium alloys have been extensively investigated through severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods in order to extend their application to structural components. In the present work, as-extruded ZK60 magnesium alloy samples were subjected to 4 passes of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at a processing temperature of 250 degrees C, following route Bc. The microstructural evolution of the deformed grains was analyzed using electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). The Orientation Imaging Microscopy (OIM) maps, together with the grain boundary misorientation distribution showed a reduction in the grain size accompanied by a large proportion of high angle grain boundaries. Calorimetric analysis showed a slight increase in the recrystallization temperature of the ECAPed magnesium samples. Mechanical tests showed an improvement in the elongation-to-failure after 4 ECAP passes, which were about 2 times higher than in the as-extruded sample. Also a brittle to ductile transition was observed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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