Abstract
Thermomechanical treatment consisting of pre-compression and a subsequent isothermal aging was used to improve the compressive properties of extruded Mg-Zn-Ca (ZX10) alloy. Isothermal aging at 150 degrees C and 200 degrees C was performed on as-extruded samples for various times to find peak aged conditions.
To achieve a different twin volume fraction in the alloy, samples were pre-compressed up to 2%, 3% and 4% along the extrusion direction. Afterwards, the peak-aged conditions were applied to the pre-compressed samples to enhance their mechanical properties.
It was found that after the 4 h@150 degrees C thermomechanical treatment, deformation curves exhibit a distinctive yield plateau independently on the pre-strain level. Using the 2 h@200 degrees C condition, the yield plateau occurs only after pre-strain of 3%.
Higher compressive yield strength values were observed for the thermomechanically treated samples at the lower temperature.