Isothermal forming of the large-size AZ80A magnesium alloy forging with high mechanical properties

There is an increasing demand for magnesium alloy in the automobile and aerospace industries, but the large-size magnesium alloy forging is difficult to be obtained by conventionally machining with high mechanical properties. The isothermal forming was carried out to form the large-size magnesium alloy forging. The forming process of isothermal forming is studied by finite element model simulation and experiment. The microstructure and tensile properties of the magnesium alloy forging processed by isothermal forming after T5 heat treatment are analyzed. The flow lines and texture played important roles in mechanical properties of the magnesium alloy forging. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the web of the forging at room temperature after T5 heat treatment were as high as 370.6 MPa, 280.2 MPa, and 7.5 %, respectively. At 130 °C, the web of the forging had the highest tensile properties, which followed the same trend as those at room temperature, with the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation as high as 258.4 MPa, 186.1 MPa, and 42.8 %, respectively, which showed the excellent mechanical properties.