Grain refining and improving mechanical properties of a warm rolled AZ31 alloy plate

The mechanical properties of an AZ31 magnesium alloy were improved after warm rolling. The study involved a pre-rolling condition in which the material consisted of twins, playing a key role in recrystallization grain refinement upon subsequent processing. The pre-existing twin boundaries increased the number of nucleation sites for recrystallization during warm rolling, and resulted in complete recrystallization and weakening of the basal texture during subsequent annealing. This led to improved mechanical properties of the warm rolled plates. •A novel method was used to refine recrystallized grains.•Pre-introduced twins increased the nucleation sites for recrystallization.•Improved mechanical properties of magnesium alloy plates were obtained.