Microstructure, texture evolution and mechanical properties of a large-scale multidirectionally forged Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr-Ag alloy

A large-scale Mg-6.2Gd-3.7Y-0.9Zn-0.3Zr-0.3Ag (wt.%) magnesium component with the dimension of 480 × 250 × 160 mm3 was fabricated via direct-chill (DC) casting, homogenization and multidirectional forging (MDF). The evolution of the microstructure, texture and uniaxial tensile properties during MDF process were comprehensively investigated. 2.5%, 5.6% and 10.9% anisotropy were obtained in the MDF alloy subjected to 9, 18 and 27 passes, respectively. The MDF alloy subjected to 27 passes tensile along FD exhibits superior comprehensive mechanical properties, with a yield strength (TYS) of 292 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 384 MPa and elongation of 9.0%. Interdendritic Mg5(Gd, Y, Zn) phases dissolved after homogenization, with the precipitation of intragranular lamellar 14H long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phases from α-Mg matrix. During the MDF process, intragranular lamellar LPSO phases were initially kinked, suppressing dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior in the first 9 passes, and subsequently partially dissolved. Dynamic precipitation of Mg5(Gd, Y) and ultrafine LPSO phase were also induced by MDF. With the cumulative deformation of MDF, increased volume fraction of Mg5(Gd, Y) phases, enhanced texture and refined α-Mg grains are likely responsible for the improved mechanical properties via MDF. We also found that prismatic slip is activated in the deformed grains with the c-axis around FD and multiple slip is activated in the other deformed grains during the MDF process. This paper provides a superior MDF processing route to manufacture high-performance large-scale Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr-Ag components for industrial production.