The hot deformation behavior of extruded AZ80 magnesium alloy was studied through hot compression tests performed at temperatures ranging from 250 to 450 ~C with strain rates varying from 0.001 to 10 s-1. The flow stress was corrected due to the deformation heating. The Zener-Hollomon parameter （Z parameter） and processing map were established to describe the hot deformation behavior. The results indicate that the applicable deformation should be conducted at the strain rate of 0.1 s-~ and the temperature range of 350-400 ~C. Besides, the relationship between the microstructure evolution and Z parameter was also discussed. High temperature and low strain rate result in a low Z parameter, which leads to full dynamic recrystallization （DRX） and large DRX grain size in the microstructure. Considering processing map and microstructure, the hot deformation should be carried out at the temperature of 400 ~C and the strain rate of 0.1 s 1.
