Mechanical Properties of an Al-5.4%Mg-0.5%Mn-0.1%Zr Alloy Subjected to ECAP and Rolling
Superplasticity and microstructural evolution of a commercial Al-5.4%Mg-0.5%Mn-0.1%Zr alloy subjected to severe plastic deformation through equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and subsequent rolling was studied in tension at strain rates ranging from 1.4×10-4 to 5.6×10-2 s-1 in the temperature interval 400-550°C. The alloy had an unrecrystallized microstructure with an average crystallite size less than 5 m. The alloy exhibited the yield strength of ~370 MPa, ultimate strength of ~450 MPa and elongation-to-failure of ~15% at ambient temperature. In spite of small crystallite size the alloy shows moderate superplastic properties. The highest elongation-to-failures of ~450% appeared at a temperature of ~500°C and an initial strain rate of ~1.4×10-3 s-1, where the strain rate sensitivity coefficient, m, is of about 0.57. The relationship between superplastic ductilities and microstructure is discussed.