Effect of rolling with different amounts of deformation on microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg–1Al–4Y alloy

In this study, the Mg–1Al–4Y alloy was successfully prepared by smelting and casting. Then, the alloy was rolled at different amounts of deformation (40%, 60%, and 80%) at 500 °C. Microstructure observations were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The effects of different amounts of rolling deformation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–1Al–4Y alloy were investigated. The results indicate that in the as-cast Mg–1Al–4Y alloy, the Al2Y phase is dispersed in the magnesium matrix, and the grain size of the alloy decreases from 201.06 μm to 35.07 μm with increasing rolling deformation. The rolled Mg–1Al–4Y alloy has a strong {0001} basal texture. As the amount of rolling deformation increases, the texture intensity gradually increases, but the texture type does not change substantially. Moreover, the Mg–1Al–4Y alloy is prone to {101¯2} extension twinning, {101¯1} contraction twinning, and {101¯1}-{101¯2} double twinning during rolling. Compared with the as-cast Mg–1Al–4Y alloy, the tensile strength and yield strength of the Mg–1Al–4Y alloy after 80% deformation were as high as 257 MPa (104%) and 185 MPa (an increase of 330%).