The Portevin-Le Chatelier Effect and Kinematics of Deformation Bands in an Al-Mg-Sc Alloy: Effect of Grain Size

Abstract

Stress serration patterns and kinematics of deformation bands associated with the Portevin-Le Chatelier (PLC) effect were examined for an Al–6%Mg–0.35%Mn–0.2%Sc–0.08%Zr–0.07%Cr (in wt.%) alloy with two grain sizes: 22 μm and 0.7 μm. The fine-grained structure of the alloy was obtained using equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 320°C up to a total strain of ~12. Tensile tests were carried out at room temperature and strain rate ranging from 10 -5 s -1 to 10 -2 s -1 . In addition, high-frequency local extensometry technique was applied to monitor the evolution of the axial strain distribution during deformation. Depending on the strain rate, conventional A, B, C, or mixed types of serrations were observed on the stress-strain curves. These types of behavior usually correspond to different kinematics of the PLC bands, including band propagation and localization. However, the propagation regime was found to dominate in the investigated alloy in the entire strain-rate range. This unusual behavior of deformation bands and their features depending on the grain size are discussed.