Effects of process parameters on the mechanical properties and microstructure in ultrasonic vibration-assisted warm tensile deformation of AZ31 magnesium alloy

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are becoming popular in lightweight manufacturing due to their low density and high specific strength. However, insufficient slip systems result in poor plasticity of Mg alloys at room temperature. Therefore, an ultrasonic energy field combined with thermal field is introduced to assist the deformation of AZ31 Mg alloy to improve its plasticity. Firstly, ultrasonic vibration (UV)-assisted tensile tests at different temperatures (130–150 °C) are conducted to investigate the effect of UV on material behaviour and the activation of dynamic recrystallization (DRX). Then, the influences of UV on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the material at 150 °C are investigated by varying the parameters of ultrasound amplitude, strain rate, and vibration interval. The results reveal that applying UV can activate DRX at a relatively lower temperature compared with that without UV. Superimposing a certain amount of ultrasonic energy on this material at warm conditions reduces flow stress and increases elongation. In the intermittent ultrasonic vibration (IUV) tests, the DRX percentage and elongation first increase and then decrease as the vibration interval increases. The elongation of specimens with appropriate vibration intervals even exceeds that of specimens with continuous ultrasonic vibration (CUV). However, CUV is more effective than IUV in reducing ultimate tensile strength at different amplitudes or strain rates.