Effects of cryogenic deformation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high-strength aluminum alloys

Abstract

7A85 aluminum alloy forgings were compressed at 10% to 30% deformation at room and cryogenic temperatures, followed by solid-solution treatment, water quenching, 3% cold deformation, and two-stage aging. The results indicated that cryogenic deformation increased coarse second-phase particle fragmentation and led to massive dislocation proliferation, which facilitated particle dissolution due to the formation of more interfaces and dislocation-promoted dissolution. These increased the driving force for aging precipitation and produced denser matrix precipitates and narrower grain boundary precipitate-free zones. Meanwhile, numerous dislocations provided more nucleation sites for recrystallization and thus refined grains during solution treatment. The grains were refined from 500 μm in the undeformed state to an average size of 35 μm under 20% cryogenic deformation. The excessive dislocation energy and stored deformation energy at 30% deformation caused recrystallized grain growth. The optimal mechanical properties were obtained at 20% cryogenic deformation with an ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of 499 MPa, 435 MPa, and 13.1%, which were respectively 1.6%, 2.1%, and 37.9% higher than those of the undeformed sample. • Uniformly fine equiaxed grains and the best elongation were obtained at 20% cryogenic deformation. • Excessive dislocation energy and stored deformation energy at 30% deformation led to recrystallized grain growth. • Increasing the deformation and decreasing the temperature resulted in denser matrix precipitates. • Increasing the deformation and decreasing the temperature resulted in narrower grain boundary PFZs.