Effect of high content of manganese on microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of magnesium alloy

Highlights: • Extremely refined Mg-3.0Mn alloys are prepared by conventional extrusion process. • Mn addition can effectively weaken the basal texture of the alloys. • Strength, yield anisotropy and ductility have been obviously improved. - Abstract: In the present investigation, microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of Mg-3Mn alloys fabricated by hot extrusion process with the extrusion temperatures of 250 °C and 300 °C were investigated. The results revealed that the samples exhibited the refined microstructure and weakened basal texture. Refined microstructure of the samples was attributed to the dynamic precipitates suppressing the recrystallization grain growth during extrusion process. Weakened basal texture of the samples was explained as a result of particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) promoted by coarsened Mn precipitates altering the texture of extruded profiles during recrystallization by orienting the c-axis of grains at an angle that favors basal slip activity. As a result, the samples exhibited the high tensile elongation and good yield strength at room temperature.