Textural Evolution of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy Sheets Undergoing Repeated Unidirectional Bending at Room Temperature

In this paper, repeated unidirectional bending (RUB), was applied to improve the texture of AZ31B magnesium alloy sheets so as to enhance their stamping properties.The samples undergoing RUB were annealed at different temperatures.The mechanical properties, formability, textural components and microstructure of the samples before and after RUB were characterized and compared.It was found that the basal textural component was reduced dramatically by RUB, and that (1212) and (1211) textural components appeared.Annealing has a great effect on the mechanical properties of samples undergoing RUB.The plasticity and stamping formability of samples were greatly improved by RUB and annealing at 260℃ for 1 h, and elongation to fracture and Erichsen value were increased to 38% and 67%, respectively.