Effect of Annealing Process on Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Mixed-grained Magnesium Alloy

WU Fengbiao; LYU Hang; LIU Xinyan; NING Fangkun; KANG Xiaoping; JIA Weitao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.02.021

PDF(8703 KB)

Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (2) : 226-235. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.02.021

Light Alloy Forming

Effect of Annealing Process on Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Mixed-grained Magnesium Alloy

WU Fengbiao¹, LYU Hang², LIU Xinyan², NING Fangkun^2,*, KANG Xiaoping¹, JIA Weitao²

Author information +

History +

Abstract

The work aims to elucidate the dynamic evolution mechanisms of mixed-grain structures in AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets during annealing, to address the issue of alternating grain refinement and coarsening along with mixed-grain formation caused by repeated inter-pass reheating in conventional multi-pass hot rolling, clarify the influence of annealing on microstructure and mechanical properties, and provide a theoretical foundation for precise control of the final rolled sheet's performance. Based on mixed-grain samples containing multi-scale grains, shear bands, and twins, their microstructural evolution under varying annealing temperature (170-300 ℃) and holding periods (0.5-3 h) were systematically investigated. The corresponding effects on mechanical properties were analyzed. When the annealing temperature exceeded 200 ℃, the mixed-grain structure was significantly improved, enhancing microstructural homogeneity. The grain size demonstrated a characteristic evolution pattern of initial refinement followed by coarsening with prolonged annealing time, a trend that became more pronounced at elevated temperature. Within the 170-300 ℃ range, annealing temperature dominated tensile strength, while the holding period primarily affected ductility. The maximum elongation (24.5%) occurred at 250 ℃-2 h, attributed to sufficient recrystallization nucleation and pronounced twin reduction. At fixed temperature, hardness typically peaked after 1 h. This nonlinear behavior stemmed from competing mechanisms between grain equiaxed transformation and twin evolution. Rational selection of annealing temperature and time can enhance microstructural uniformity and balance strength-ductility trade-offs, offering critical guidance for optimizing annealing processes in wide AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets.

Key words

magnesium alloy / rolling / mixed-grain structure / annealing process / recrystallization / mechanical properties

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

WU Fengbiao, LYU Hang, LIU Xinyan, NING Fangkun, KANG Xiaoping, JIA Weitao. Effect of Annealing Process on Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Mixed-grained Magnesium Alloy[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(2): 226-235 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.02.021

References

[1] 谢玉, 张春伟. 温轧及退火对挤压AZ31B镁板室温各向异性的影响[J]. 特种铸造及有色合金, 2023, 43(3): 405-409.
[2] XIE Y, ZHANG C W.Effects of Warm Rolling and Annealing on the Anisotropy of Extruded AZ31B Magnesium Sheet[J]. Special Casting & Nonferrous Alloys, 2023, 43(3): 405-409.
[3] 王亮军, 佘银柱. 退火温度对车用AZ91D镁合金板材室温拉伸断裂性能的影响[J]. 锻压技术, 2019, 44(2): 155-158.
[4] WANG L J, SHE Y Z.Influence of Annealing Temperature on Tensile Fracture Performance at Room Temperature of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy Sheets for Car[J]. Forging & Stamping Technology, 2019, 44(2): 155-158.
[5] GONG X B, KANG S B, CHO J H, et al.Effect of Annealing on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of ZK60 Magnesium Alloy Sheets Processed by Twin-Roll Cast and Differential Speed Rolling[J]. Materials Characterization, 2014, 97: 183-188.
[6] SUN H F, CHAO H Y, WANG E D.Microstructure Stability of Cold Drawn AZ31 Magnesium Alloy during Annealing Process[J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2011, 21: s215-s221.
[7] SUN Y N, AN C, GE Z B, et al.Achieve High Strength and Ductility in AZ61 Magnesium Alloy by Caliber Rolling Combined with Inter-Pass Annealing[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2025, 1019: 179187.
[8] 张昕宇, 李继军, 郎风超, 等. 退火处理对AZ31B镁合金组织及力学性能的影响[J]. 热加工工艺, 2021, 50(22): 121-124.
[9] ZHANG X Y, LI J J, LANG F C, et al.Effects of Annealing Process on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy[J]. Hot Working Technology, 2021, 50(22): 121-124.
[10] LIU X, HE D D, ZHU B W, et al.Periodical Mixed Grain and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Corrugated Slab after Single-Pass Medium-Strain Rate Rolling with Subsequent Annealing[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2025, 1014: 178741.
[11] DING R Q, HU J Q, LIU Z, et al.Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Behavior of Pre-Compressed ZK60 Magnesium with Annealing[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2025, 1028: 180706.
[12] 龙昌. AZ31镁合金静态再结晶与动态再结晶行为的基础性研究[D]. 合肥: 合肥工业大学, 2022.
[13] LONG C.Basic Study on Static and Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy[D]. Hefei: Hefei University of Technology, 2022.
[14] JIA W T, LIU X Y, XIN C, et al.Transverse Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of 1500 mm Wide AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Plate and Its Evolution during Industrial Rolling[J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2023, 27: 7271-7279.
[15] 鲁晔, 王利飞, 曹晓卿, 等. 热处理对AZ31镁合金轧板组织与腐蚀性能的影响[J/OL]. 热加工工艺, 1-3[2025-05-06]. https://doi.org/10.14158/j.cnki.1001- 3814.20210955.
[16] LU Y, WANG L F, CAO X Q, et al. Effects of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Corrosion Properties of AZ31 Mg Alloy Rolled Sheet[J/OL]. Hot Working Technology, 1-3[2025-05-06]. https://doi.org/10.14158/ j.cnki.1001-3814.20210955.
[17] CHAI F, MA Z Y, HAN X H, et al.Effect of Strain Rates on Mechanical Behavior, Microstructure Evolution and Failure Mechanism of Extruded-Annealed AZ91 Magnesium Alloy under Room-Temperature Tension[J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2023, 27: 4644-4656.
[18] LIU Y H, JIA W T, XIN C, et al.Analysis of Microstress Distribution Non-Uniformity in the Rolling Deformation Process of Ultra-Thin Magnesium Alloy Sheets[J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2025, 36: 963-973.
[19] 宋先和, 刘晓烨, 毕仁贵, 等. 轧制温度和后处理方式对AZ31镁合金显微组织和力学性能的影响[J]. 金属热处理, 2023, 48(3): 62-70.
[20] SONG X H, LIU X Y, BI R G, et al.Effect of Rolling Temperature and Post-Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2023, 48(3): 62-70.
[21] 宋先和. 轧制及热处理工艺对镁合金微观组织与力学性能影响研究[D]. 吉首: 吉首大学, 2023.
[22] SONG X H.Effect of Rolling Process and Heat Treatment onthe Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Magnesium Alloy[D]. Jishou: Jishou University, 2023.
[23] 朱嘉欣, 孙有平, 何江美, 等. 轧后退火时间对轧制ZK60镁合金显微组织及力学和阻尼性能的影响[J]. 机械工程材料, 2024, 48(1): 40-45.
[24] ZHU J X, SUN Y P, HE J M, et al.Effect of Annealing Time after Rolling on Microstructure and Mechanical and Damping Properties of Rolled ZK60 Magnesium Alloy[J]. Materials for Mechanical Engineering, 2024, 48(1): 40-45.
[25] MINETA T, SUZUMURA R, KONYA A, et al.Effect of Strain-Induced Grain Boundary Migration on Microstructure and Creep Behavior of Extruded AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Prepared by Pre-Compression and Annealing Treatment[J]. Materials Today Communications, 2023, 34: 105502.
[26] WANG L F, PAN X H, ZHU X X, et al.Effect of Two-Step Increased Temperature Thermal Rolling on Anisotropy and Stretch Formability of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Sheets[J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2023, 33(4): 1066-1085.
[27] 廖本洪, 时来鑫, 胡励, 等. 退火工艺对高温叠轧AZ31镁合金板材组织与性能的影响[J]. 锻压技术, 2020, 45(3): 179-184.
[28] LIAO B H, SHI L X, HU L, et al.Effect of Annealing Process on Microstructure and Properties of High Temperature Roll Bonding for AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Sheet[J]. Forging & Stamping Technology, 2020, 45(3): 179-184.
[29] 蒋永锋, 包晔峰, 郁中太. 不同退火条件下AZ31镁合金的组织和硬度分析[J]. 热加工工艺, 2009, 38(4): 9-11.
[30] JIANG Y F, BAO Y F, YU Z T.Analysis on Microstructure and Microhardness of AZ31 Mg Alloy under Different Conditions of Annealing[J]. Hot Working Technology, 2009, 38(4): 9-11.
[31] TIAN J, DENG J F, MA R, et al.Pre-Control of Annealing Temperature on the Uniformity of Deformed Structure of Wrought Magnesium Alloy[J]. Materials Letters, 2021, 305: 130820.
[32] VERMA K K, KUMAR S, SUWAS S.Evolution of Microstructure and Texture during Hot Rolling and Subsequent Annealing of the TZ73 Magnesium Alloy and Its Influence on Tensile Properties[J]. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 2021, 821: 141480.
[33] 杨彭云. AZ31合金低温静态再结晶行为及组织与性能优化[D]. 太原: 太原理工大学, 2023.
[34] YANG P Y.Microstructure and Properties of AZ31 Alloy by Static Recrystallization at Lower Temperature[D]. Taiyuan: Taiyuan University of Technology, 2023.
[35] 刘光明, 杨丽峡, 黄庆学, 等. 轧后热处理工艺对AZ31镁合金铸轧板组织性能的影响[J]. 材料热处理学报, 2019, 40(6): 26-32.
[36] LIU G M, YANG L X, HUANG Q X, et al.Effect of Post-Rolling Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Cast-Rolled Sheet[J]. Transactions of Materials and Heat Treatment, 2019, 40(6): 26-32.
[37] WANG X, GUAN D K.The Evolution of Coarse Grains and Its Effects on Weakened Basal Texture during Annealing of a Cold-Rolled Magnesium AZ31B Alloy[J]. Journal of Magnesium and Alloys, 2022, 10(5): 1235-1241.
[38] 魏遥周. 高速轧制和退火对AZ61合金再结晶及析出行为的影响[D]. 哈尔滨: 哈尔滨工程大学, 2021.
[39] WEI Y Z.Effect of High-speed Rolling and Annealing on Recrystallization and Precipitation Behavior of AZ61 Alloy[D]. Harbin: Harbin Engineering University, 2021

Funding

Scientific and Technological Innovation Programs of Higher Educations Institutions in Shanxi (2022L608); Key Research and Development Program Project of Xinzhou City (20240106); National Natural Science Foundation of China (52105388, 52504420)