Electrochemical cold drawing of Mg alloy bars

A new technique, electrochemical cold drawing (ECD), was used to cold drawing AM60B alloy bar. The effects of the processing parameters on the cold drawing forces and drawn bars of magnesium alloy were investigated, including electrolyte, current density, drawing speed and drawing pass. The drawing force was significantly less than that of drawing in air due to the role of electrochemical plasticisation. This effect was greater in 0.025 M H2SO4 than it was in 0.6 M NaCl/0.3 M HCl or tap water. But it decreased in the tested electrolytes by increasing drawing speed, as well as by increasing drawing pass. To conclude, electrochemical treatment can significantly improve the metal formability and ECD is promising for forming of difficult-to-deform alloys.