Thixotropic deformation behavior of semi-solid AZ61 magnesium alloy during compression process

Compression tests on semi-solid AZ61 magnesium alloy fabricated by strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) and the conventional as-casted were carried out using the Gleeble-1500 dynamic material testing machine. The relationships between stress and strain and the microstructural evolutions for AZ61 magnesium alloy were analyzed in different deformation conditions. The results show that the deformation resistance of semi-solid AZ61 magnesium alloy is obvious less than one of the conventional as-casted, which decreases with the deformation temperature increasing. At the same time the peak value of true stress increases with the strain rate increasing. The pressed deformation characteristics of globular microstucture presented obviously after semi-solid AZ61 magnesium alloy was compressed between solid and liquid.