Magnesium alloy has been widely used in
automobile, motorcycle and 3C fields due to low density,
high specific strength and stiffness and excellent
damping capacity [1,2]. Thixoforming is a net-shape
method for forming complex Mg alloy components with
high properties. ZHANG et al [3] reported mechanical
properties of thixomolded AZ91D magnesium alloy and
found that mechanical properties of thixomolded AZ91D
mainly depended on porosity level, the size and volume
fraction of primary solid phase. PATEL et al [4]
examined microstructure and tensile properties of
thixomolded magnesium alloys and concluded that the
microstructure of AZ91D and AM60B thixomolded
alloys consisted mainly of globular primary α-Mg phase
surrounded by network-like eutectic structure containing
intermetallic β-Mg17Al12 phase. ZHAO et al [5] studied
microstructural evolution and tensile mechanical
properties of AM60B magnesium alloy prepared by the
SIMA (strain induced melt activated) route and thought
that the SIMA route (four-pass CCDF and partial
remelting) produced ideal, fine semi-solid
microstructure.