The low microalloying content and high yield strength of 365 MPa have been achieved simultaneously in extruded Mg–Ce–Al alloy which is mainly ascribed to the unexpected grain refinement (mean size of ∼420 nm). It is found that adding tiny Al (0.05 wt.%) into Mg–0.2 wt.% Ce alloy can promote the formation of Ce–Al-enriched segregation along dislocations and grain boundaries which can effectively counterbalance the thermally activated dislocation recovery and thus guarantee grain refinement. The ultra-fined grains are mainly related to both linear and planar cosegregation of solutes, rather than the traditional planar segregations and/or nanoprecipitations at grain boundaries. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT IMPACT STATEMENT A new mechanism of linear/planar cosegregation of solutes for ultrafine DRXed grains formation in Mg alloys has been found, rather than traditional planar segregations and/or nanoprecipitations at grain boundaries.

A high-strength binary Mg–15Gd alloy plate, prepared by the conventional extrusion, warm-rolling and aging, exhibits an excellent mechanical property with 504, 518 MPa and 4.5% for yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation, which is mainly attributed to the nano substructure with boundary segregation of Gd atoms, the high-density nano clusters induced by dislocations in the interior of grains, the high-density dynamical precipitates with submicron size, and the strong basal texture. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT IMPACT STATEMENT A new strengthening mechanism involving the nano substructure with Gd segregation, high-density nano Gd clusters induced by dislocations, and high-density dynamical precipitates has been found in Mg–Gd binary alloys.

In this study, AZ91 magnesium alloy rods were used to investigate the effects of torsion deformation on microstructure and subsequent aging behavior. Extruded AZ91 rod has a uniform microstructure and typical fiber texture. Torsion deformation can generate a gradient microstructure on the cross-section of the rod. After torsion, from the center to the edge in the cross-section of the rod, both stored dislocations and area fraction of {10-12} twins gradually increase, and the basal pole of the texture tends to rotate in the ED direction. Direct aging usually generates coarse discontinuous precipitates and fine continuous precipitates simultaneously. Both twin structures and dislocations via torsion deformation can be effective microstructures for the nucleation of continuous precipitates during subsequent aging. Thus, aging after torsion can promote continuous precipitation and generate gradient precipitation characteristics. Both aging treatment and torsion deformation can reduce yield asymmetry, and torsion deformation enhances the aging hardening effect by promoting continuous precipitation. Therefore, combined use of torsion deformation and aging treatment can effectively enhance the yield strength and almost eliminate the yield asymmetry of the present extruded AZ91 rod. Finally, the relevant mechanisms are discussed.

Regulating precipitates is still an important issue in the development of high-strength Mg alloys, due to it determining the precipitation hardening effect. Cold deformation, as a simple and low-cost method, can remarkably influence the precipitate features. It is found that pre-cold deformation before aging can be utilized to enhance the precipitation hardening effect of Mg alloys. Moreover, post-deformation after aging could be an effective method to regulate precipitation orientation. In this review, recent research on the regulation of precipitation behavior by cold deformation in Mg-Al, Mg-Zn, and Mg-RE (RE: rare-earth elements) alloy systems was critically reviewed. The changes in precipitate features and mechanical properties of peak-aged Mg alloys via cold deformation were summarized. The corresponding strengthening mechanisms were also discussed. Finally, further research directions in this field were proposed.

A new Mg–Sm–Ce–Mn-based alloying system with a large miscibility gap was uncovered, and multi-solute co-segregations at high-angular grain boundaries (HAGBs), dislocations and low-angular grain boundaries (LAGBs) are obtained after the proper extrusion process. During following long-term thermal exposure, the solute along HAGBs gradually evolves into nano-precipitates, while the precipitation process along LAGBs is obviously suppressed due to the intrinsically low-energy character, and numerous G. P. zones and γ” phases are formed in deformed regions, which always keep the limited size and reticular distribution. Consequently, the bimodal-grain structure is thermally stable, and the excellent high-temperature strength can be well maintained. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT IMPACT STATEMENT A new strategy of constructing a stable solute-network to achieve outstanding heat-resistant properties can be realized in low-alloyed Mg wrought alloy, and high-temperature UTS (∼291 MPa) can even exceed conventional Mg-RE alloys.