Hot workability analysis with processing map and texture characteristics of as-cast TX32 magnesium alloy

Hot deformation behavior of as-cast TX32 (Mg-3Sn-2Ca) alloy has been studied in uniaxial compression in the temperature and strain rate ranges of 300-500 C and 0.0003-10 s^-1 with a view to characterize the evolution of microstructure and texture. On the basis of the temperature and strain rate dependence of flow stress, a processing map has been developed and the crystallographic orientation information on the deformed specimens has been obtained from electron back scatter diffraction micro-texture analysis. The processing map revealed two domains of dynamic recrystallization in the temperature and strain rate ranges of (1) 300-350 C and 0.0003-0.001 s ^-1 and (2) 390-500 C and 0.005-0.6 s^-1. Specimens deformed at peak in Domain 1 exhibited maximum intensity of basal poles located at about 35-45 to the compression axis while those deformed at peak in Domain 2 showed near-random texture. Schmid factor analysis of different slip systems operating in the two domains suggests that basal + prismatic slip causes the basal texture in Domain 1 while second-order pyramidal slip randomizes the texture in Domain 2. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.