The mobility of dislocations was investigated in WE43 magnesium alloy during recovery and recrystallisation for samples deformed plastically, at different degrees of plastic deformation and temperatures. The dislocation density decreased at 550 to 650K, in good agreement with the characteristic recovery temperature of this alloy, 630K. New dislocations located at the grain boundaries start their movement from 650K onwards. During recrystallisation, which had a characteristic temperature of around 700K, the density of dislocations decreased and the possibility of movement of the dislocations also decreases, due to the development of internal stresses during the growth of new strain-free grains. The excess of vacancies promoted by the plastic deformation in cold worked samples was consumed up to temperatures of 550K. New thermal vacancies which assist the movement of grain boundaries and dislocations were created after annealing at temperature above 650K. Hot-worked samples which exhibited dynamic recovery or recrystallisation, depending on the degree of plastic deformation; had a structure with both little dislocation mobility and also a low dislocation density.

Dislocation Movement in WE43 Magnesium Alloy during Recovery and Recrystallisation. O.A.Lambri, J.A.García, W.Riehemann, J.A.Cano, G.I.Zelada-Lambri, F.Plazaola: Materials Transactions, 2011, 52[5], 1016-25