Grain size control in AA5083: thermomechanical processing and particle stimulated nucelation

Abstract

"Superplastic forming is an emerging industrial technology that allows the production of complex shapes in metallic materials including aluminum. A critical characteristic of materials that are capable of sustaining superplastic forming is a fine grain size. In this study a commercial aluminum-magnesium-manganese alloy received in the as-cast condition was subjected to various thermomechanical processes intended to refine the grain size. Particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) theory was employed to develop the thermomechanical processes. These processes all involved initial homogenization and hot working. Subsequent annealing treatments were intended to control the size and size distribution of second phase particles, such as Al6Mn. Strain energy was introduced through cold rolling followed by recrystallization anneals. Samples were analyzed using orientation-imaging microscopy to examine the effect of processing variables on the recrystallized grain size." p. i.