Bulk Mg Produced by Back Pressure Equal Channel Angular Consolidation (BP- ECAC)

Bulk magnesium was consolidated from pure Mg particles with an average size of ~59 µm by back pressure equal channel angular pressing. The Mg powder was processed at 200ºC for 4 and 8 passes, respectively, using route C. The consolidated materials displayed density of 1.78 g/cm3, compared to the theoretical value of 1.74 g/cm3 for pure Mg. Vickers microhardness (HV) values were measured to be about 54. Compressive tests at room temperature revealed yield strengths of 100-110 MPa and ultimate strengths of up to 142 MPa with strains to fracture of ~9%, comparable to those for extruded pure Mg. Microstructures were examined using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).