Improved ductility of Mg–Zn–Ce alloy by hot pack-rolling

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–2%Zn–0.5%Ce (ZE20) sheets by hot pack-rolling was investigated. The results showed that pack-rolled ZE20 sheets exhibited a fine recrystallized microstructure, weak texture, good ductility and a low r-value due to the reduction of heat losses by pack-rolling processing. Annealing treatment at the given temperature for conventional-rolled specimens was slightly effective for the improvement of ductility, however, resulting in strong basal texture. More randomized texture and weaker anisotropy were obtained when rolled at 723 K, which might indicate that the temperature-strain parameters in pack-rolling were in a suitable window for solute drag effect and texture randomization in Mg–RE alloy.