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Development of a submicrometer-grained microstructure in aluminum 6061 using equal channel angular extrusion

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Abstract

Submicrometer-grained (SMG) microstructures are produced in an Al–Mg–Si alloy (6061) by subjecting peak-aged and overaged billets of the alloy to intense plastic strain by a process known as equal channel angular extrusion. Two types of refined structure are distinguished by optical and transmission electron microscopy. One structure is created through intense deformation (four extrusion passes through a 90° die, ∈ = 4.62) by dynamic rotational recrystallization and is a well-formed grain (fragmented) structure with a mean fragment or grain size of 0.2–0.4 µm. The other structure is produced by post-extrusion annealing through static migration recrystallization, resulting in a grain size of 5–15 µm. Intense deformation of peak-aged material to a true strain ∈ of 4.62 (four passes) produces a strong, ductile, uniform, fine, and high angle grain boundary microstructure with increased stability against static recrystallization as compared to the overaged material.

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Author notes

  1. Stephane Ferrasse

    Present address: Sollac Dunkerque, CRDM, Dunkerque, France

  2. Vladimir M. Segal

    Present address: Principal Research Scientist, Johnson Matthey Electronics, 99216, Spokane, Washington, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, 77843-3123, College Station, Texas, USA

    Stephane Ferrasse, Vladimir M. Segal, K. Theodore Hartwig & Ramon E. Goforth

Authors
  1. Stephane Ferrasse
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  2. Vladimir M. Segal
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  3. K. Theodore Hartwig
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  4. Ramon E. Goforth
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Ferrasse, S., Segal, V.M., Hartwig, K.T. et al. Development of a submicrometer-grained microstructure in aluminum 6061 using equal channel angular extrusion. Journal of Materials Research 12, 1253–1261 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.1997.0173

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.1997.0173

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