Development of a high-strength Mg–11Gd–2Ag (wt%) alloy sheet with extra-low anisotropy

A high-performance Mg–11Gd–2Ag (wt%) alloy sheet was prepared via a procedure of high-temperature rolling combined with aging. The sheet showed a tensile yield strength of 393 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 435 MPa, and an elongation of 5.2% along the rolling direction while possessing a near-isotropic mechanical response and a weak planar anisotropy. The grain refinement, the basal texture, the stabilized band-like structure boundaries, and the promoted precipitation of γ'' and β′ nanoplates synergistically enhanced the strength. Especially, the grain orientation with a-axis randomly distributed in the rolling plane gave rise to the extra-low anisotropy. The present work is contributing to developing high-performance Mg alloy sheets and the broadening of their application.