Microstructure and properties of AZ80 alloy semisolid billets fabricated by new strain induced melt activated method

AZ80 alloy semisolid billets were fabricated by a new strain induced melt activated method (SIMA), which involved the predeformation of as-cast AZ81 alloy via equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) and the following semisolid isothermal treatment of ECAE-processed AZ80 alloys. The results show that highly strain-induced effect is successfully achieved by ECAE due to refined microstructure and the mechanical properties are enhanced. High-quality AZ80 semisolid billets with fine and spherical grains are fabricated by new SIMA method. The results of thixoforged experiment confirm that enhanced mechanical properties including yield strength of 216.9 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 312.4 MPa and elongation of 26% are successfully achieved. It also confirms that new SIMA method is a very desirable method for fabricating AZ80 alloy semisolid billets.