Bendability and microstructure of magnesium alloy tubes at room and elevated temperatures

This paper investigates the bendability and microstructure of magnesium alloy AZ31 tubes at room and elevated temperatures. The results suggest limited bendability for magnesium alloy tubes at room temperature due to strain localization caused by twinning that initiates cracks on the tube surface. A moderate temperature (150-200°C) bending process has been developed for magnesium alloy tubes that significantly improves bendability. Twinning is still the important deformation mechanism at these moderate temperatures. A significant amount of localized dynamic recrystallization is evident at prior grain boundaries when bending at above 200°C.