Dynamic precipitation of Al–Zn alloy during rolling and accumulative roll bonding

Abstract

In this study, cold rolling was performed on a binary Al–20 wt%Zn alloy and dynamic precipitation identified for the first time in Al alloys under cold rolling. Zn clusters formed after application of 0.6 strain, and the Zn phase precipitated upon further increasing strain. Both grain refinement and rolling-induced defects are considered to promote Zn precipitation. The hardness of Al–Zn alloy initially increased with strain up to a strain of 2.9 and then decreased with increasing rolling strain. Dynamic precipitation greatly affects the strengthening mechanism of the rolled Al–Zn alloy under various strains.