Microstructure and mechanical properties of cryorolled Al–6Zn–3Mg–2Cu–0.5Sc alloy

Abstract

Abstract Al–6Zn–3Mg–2Cu–0.5Sc alloy with 85% rolling reduction from the original thickness at room and cryogenic temperatures leads to high tensile strength and higher dislocation density for the cryorolled (CR) (−80 °C) sample. Microstructural investigation and their properties on mechanical behaviour of Al–6Zn–3Mg–2Cu–0.5Sc alloy were noted in detail during rolling as-cast, room temperature rolling (RTR) and cryorolling (−80 °C) conditions. The CR (−80 °C) sample revealed greater work hardening value than the as-cast alloy, due to the effect of CR and the presence of Al3CuMg precipitates. The Hierarchical Grain Size Distribution (HGSD) reported in cryorolled samples via Electron Back Scattered Diffraction (EBSD) studies, and it leads to a high strength of 537 MPa and 17% ductility in CR (−80 °C) samples. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies revealed that the high dense dislocations and nano sized intermetallic compounds are equally distributed alongside the matrix in the CR (−80 °C) among the rolled samples. Al–6Zn–3Mg–2Cu–0.5Sc alloy showed improved mechanical properties during various rolling conditions.