The deformation and recrystallization behavior of two magnesium alloys, AZ31 and WE43, have been investigated. The cast alloys were heat treated to produce various distributions of second phase particles and deformed in a channel die at a strain rate of 10(-4) s(-1) at temperatures between 523 and 673 K. The alloys were subsequently annealed at temperatures between 708 and 798 K. The AZ31 and WE43 were extruded at 555 and 633 K, respectively. The microstructures were compared to those developed during channel die deformation. The tensile and compressive strengths and the texture of the alloys were determined in the as-extruded and recrystallised. conditions. Optical microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) were used to characterize the microstructures of the alloys. The EBSD technique was used to determine the texture of the deformed and annealed samples.