Crystallographic texture evolution of three wrought magnesium alloys during equal channel angular extrusion

Texture strongly impacts the plasticity of metals and the equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) process has been demonstrated to induce unusual textures and enhance the room temperature ductility of magnesium alloys. This paper documents a wide range of textures that may be generated by ECAE of magnesium alloys. Considered broadly, the ECAE processing of magnesium alloys tends to produce 〈0 0 0 1〉 fiber textures. Unlike conventional rolling, which tends to produce 〈0 0 0 1〉 || normal direction textures, the orientation of the 〈0 0 0 1〉 fiber texture (as well as its strength) is strongly affected by alloying additions and processing history. For example, route B-processing of Mg–Al–Zn (AZ) alloys tends to produce textures with 〈0 0 0 1〉 highly inclined (∼55°) from the extrusion axis. This texture appears to promote excellent ductilities along the axis of the ECAE billets. End effects, which influence the distribution of strain and texture, are modeled.