Effect of Varying Hot Extrusion Temperatures on the Properties of a Sinterless Turning Induced Deformation Processed Eco-Friendly Mg-Zn-Ca Alloy

In this work, Mg-4Zn-1Ca (wt. %) alloy was primarily processed by disintegrated melt deposition. The resulting ingots were further pre-processed by the turning induced deformation technique (TID), and the turnings were subsequently consolidated by the hot extrusion process and sinterless powder metallurgy. A range of extrusion temperatures (200, 250 and 300 °C) was tested to understand the effect of the extrusion temperature on tailoring the microstructure and properties of TID-processed Mg-4Zn-1Ca (wt. %) alloys. The results indicated that the combined effect of TID and extrusion temperature plays a significant role in grain refinement, specifically at 200 °C. Overall, the sample extruded at 300 °C showed the best microhardness and compressive yield strength values. The resistance to ignition and wet corrosion increased and decreased, respectively, when the extrusion temperature was increased. Variations of basal texture and fine grain strengthening due to variations of extrusion temperature led to different properties peaking at different extrusion temperatures. Microstructure-property relationships are therefore discussed, highlighting that different extrusion temperatures have characteristic effects in improving and lowering the properties. Many of the investigated properties of TID-processed alloys exceed that of commercial Mg alloys, suggesting the capability of the sinterless TID technique to develop as an economical industrial way of recycling and manufacturing magnesium-based materials.