Effect of Severe Plastic Deformations on the Microstructure and Strength–Ductility Balance of a Hypoeutectic Al-Ca-Ce-Based Alloy
摘要
A comparative analysis of the effects of ECAP and HPT on the microstructure and its relationship with the strength–ductility balance of the hypoeutectic Al-3Ca-3Ce alloy (wt.%) was performed. HPT was carried out at room temperature through three turns, and ECAP was carried out at a temperature of 200 °C through four passes. Both ECAP and HPT improved the strength–ductility balance of the alloy. The best strength–ductility balance was achieved after HPT: The yield strength, the ultimate tensile strength, and the relative elongation were 418, 529 MPa, and 17%, respectively, which is 5.7, 3.7, and 1.5 times higher than in as-cast state. The strength after ECAP is 2.3-2.8 times lower, and the relative elongation is two times lower than after HPT. The difference in the mechanical properties of the alloy after ECAP and HPT was due to its different microstructure. During HPT, a nano- and sub-microcrystalline structure was formed with a predominance of high-angle misorientations, and the eutectic particles were crushed to a nanosize. The alloy after ECAP was characterized by a heterogeneous structure, namely, the areas of fine-crystalline structure with a predominance of high-angle boundaries and the areas of sub-microcrystalline structure with a predominance of low-angle boundaries and the presence of crushed particles. The alloy in all conditions was characterized by good electrical conductivity, amounting to 44-47% IACS.