Effect of warm rolling on the microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of extruded Mg-Zn-Ca-Ce/La alloy

Tensile yield strength of extruded Mg-5.3Zn-0.5Ca-0.5Ce/La (weight percent) alloy is remarkably increased to 316 MPa from 163 MPa, via the warm rolling process. The tension twinning can be activated after low-strain (5-21%) rolling, and the dynamic recrystallization occurs with increasing rolling reduction. The dislocations are gradually accumulated within the original grains during the rolling, and the number fraction of low angle grain boundary is increased. The coarse secondary phases are gradually broken into small pieces, due to the increased rolling deformation. The weak fiber texture with 101¯0 parallel to extrusion direction in the extruded alloy is modified to the typical {0002}101¯0 texture after rolling, and the yield strength is notably improved, because of the multiple strengthening effects (grain refinement, work hardening, dispersion and texture). A good balance between strength (> 310 MPa) and ductility (~ 9.5%), has been achieved through the warm rolling.