Mechanical properties and microstructure of as-cast AA7050 processed by equal channel angular pressing combined with inter-pass aging treatment
摘要
In this study, the interaction between deformation and precipitates during multiple equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) deformations and inter-pass aging combination and its effect on the mechanical properties of 7050 aluminum alloy are studied. The result show that ECAP induces numerous substructures and dislocations, effectively promoting the precipitation of the η′ phase exhibiting a bimodal structure during inter-pass aging. Following inter-pass aging and subsequent ECAP, the decrease in grain size (4.8 µm) is together with the increase in dislocation density (1.24×1015 m−2) due to the pinning effect of the precipitated phase. Simultaneously, the dislocation motion causes the second phase particles to become even finer and more diffuse. The synergistic effects of precipitation strengthening, fine grain strengthening, and dislocation strengthening collectively enhance the high strength of aluminum alloys, with ultimate tensile strength and yield strength reaching approximately 610 and 565 MPa, respectively. Meanwhile, ductility remains largely unchanged, primarily due to coordinated grain boundary sliding and the uniform and fine dispersion of second phase particles.