A novel way producing magnesium billets, LFEC (low frequency electromagnetic casting processing), was developed in Northeastern University in China. The high-quality magnesium billets with less macrosegregation, refined microstructure, and better surface quality were achieved because the temperature field and the flow pattern of magnesium DC casting were improved significantly after applying low frequency electromagnetic field. Extrusion is an important plastic deformation process for magnesium alloys. In this research, the magnesium billets from LFEC were extruded through a special designed die into sheets. The results of investigation on AZ31B indicated that the extrusion velocity has obvious effects on their microstructures and mechanical properties and the sheets from LFEC had finer microstructure and higher mechanical properties than that from conventional DC casting.
Fine-tuning of mechanical properties in a Zn–Ag–Mg alloy via cold plastic deformation process and post-deformation annealing
