Elevated Temperature Deformation Behavior in an AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

An AZ31 magnesium alloy was tested at constant temperatures ranging from 423 to 473 K (0.46 to 0.51 Tm) under constant stresses. All of the creep curves exhibited two types depending on stress levels. At low stress (${\sigma}/ G < 4 {\times}10^{-3}$), the creep curve was typical of class A (Alloy type) behavior. However, at high stresses (${\sigma}/ G > 4 {\times}10^{-3}$), the creep curve was typical of class M (Metal type) behavior. At low stress level, the stress exponent for the steady-state creep rate was of 3.5 and the true activation energy for creep was 101 kJ/mole which is close to that for solute diffusion. It indicates that the dominant deformation mechanism was glide-controlled dislocation creep. At low stress level where n=3.5, the present results are in good agreement with the prediction of Fridel model.