16 - Ultrafine-grained aluminium alloys: processes, structural features and properties

Abstract

This chapter provides a review of the processing techniques based on severe plastic deformation (SPD), namely high pressure torsion and equal channel angular pressing, as applied to age-hardenable and non age-hardenable Al alloys. The unusual mechanical properties of the Al alloys obtained by the various SPD methods considered are presented in terms of the ultrafine-grained microstructure and segregation/precipitation formation in the alloys produced. The outlined ‘portrait’ of the Al alloys whose microstructure has been modified by SPD also includes such features as very high strength, fatigue resistance and tensile ductility. Finally, the potential of SPD processing techniques for developing marketable Al products with improved properties is discussed.