Microstructure and Hardness Evaluation of Magnesium Samples Processed by a New Design of Spread Extrusion Method

Spread extrusion is a capable method to produce different samples with a wider cross-section from the smaller billets in a single processing pass. In this study, dish-shaped samples are successfully produced from the as-cast cylindrical AM60 magnesium alloy at 300 °C, the mechanical properties and microstructural changes of the final specimens are precisely evaluated. Due to the high amount of plastic strain, which is applied to the initial billet during the material flow in the expansion process, grain refinement occurred as a result of recrystallization and subsequently good mechanical properties achieved. Therefore, mean grain size reduced from 160 µm to 14 µm and initial equiaxed grains changed to the elongated ones surrounded by fine grains. Also, microhardness measurements indicate that hardness increased from 51 Hv to 70 Hv. Some fluctuations were also observed in the hardness profile of the sample which was mainly related to the bimodal structure of the final microstructure. Good mechanical properties, fine microstructure, and also the ability to produce samples with higher cross-section make the spread extrusion process a promising type of extrusion.