Microstructures in the 6060 aluminium alloy after various severe plastic deformation treatments
This paper presents the results concerning the microstructural refinement of the industrial 6060 aluminium alloy processed by severe plastic deformation (SPD). The high level of plastic deformation was achieved using the three methods: hydrostatic extrusion (HE), equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) and extrusion torsion (ET), which differed in the dynamics of the loading, intensity and homogeneity of the plastic strain field. Microstructure analyses were performed before and after SPD deformation using a transmission (TEM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The refined microstructures were examined qualitatively and quantitatively by the stereological methods and computer image analyses. The microstructure of the industrial 6060 aluminium alloy after deformation was characterized by an average grain size of about 0.4 {mu}m. The results show that the precipitates strongly affect the degree of refinement and the mechanism of microstructural transformations. During the SPD, the second phase particles break apart and homogenize. The HE method generates the largest increase of the volume fraction of the small primary particles. Moreover, the HE process is most effective in reducing the primary particle size. During HE and ECAE processes the second phase precipitates dissolve partially and change their shape. - Research Highlights: {yields} SPD results in a significant increase in the density of the small primary particles. {yields} SPD homogenizes the particle size distribution. {yields} HE and ECAE processes bring nano-grains in the vicinity of the primary particles. {yields} HE and ECAE processing results in the {beta}' precipitates partial dissolutions. {yields} During HE and ECAE processes the {beta}' particles change their shape.
- OSTI ID:
- 22063670
- Journal Information:
- Materials Characterization, Vol. 62, Issue 3; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Characterization of ultrafine-grained aluminum tubes processed by Tube Cyclic Extrusion–Compression (TCEC)
Ultra-Fine Grain Structures Of Model Al-Mg-Si Alloys Produced By Hydrostatic Extrusion