Structure, Strength and Ductility of As-Cast Al-Mg-Mn-Zr-Sc Alloys after Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Abstract

The effect of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) on the structure and mechanical properties of Al-4% Mg-1.5% Mn-0.4% Zr and Al-4% Mg-1.5% Mn-0.4% Zr-0.4% Sc alloys in the initial as-cast state was studied. The ECAP processing was shown to lead to the formation of predominantly submicrocrystalline structure with an average grain size of 850 nm in the Al-Mg-Mn-Zr-Sc alloy and 1060 nm in the Al-Mg-Mn-Zr alloy. It is remarkable that both strength and ductility of the two alloys were enhanced by ECAP. The highest strength was observed in the Al–Mg–Mn–Zr–Sc alloy (UTS = 425MPa), in combination with elongation to failure of EL=17 %.