Effect of Homogenization Treatment Regime on Microstructure, Recrystallization Behavior, Mechanical Properties, and Superplasticity of Al-Cu-Er-Zr Alloy

Aluminum-based alloys with advanced processing and service properties are required for the automotive and airspace industries. The current study focuses on the microstructure, recrystallization behavior, and elevated- and room-temperatures tensile properties of the novel Al-Cu-Er-Zr-based alloy pretreated using different homogenization annealing regimes. Aluminum solid solution, Al 8 Cu 4 Er phases of crystallization origin, and nanoscale L1 2 -Al 3 (Er,Zr) precipitates were observed in the studied alloy. The alloy exhibited a non-recrystallized structure after annealing of cold-rolled sheets at 300°C, with yield strength of 300 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 330 MPa at room temperature. The fine-grained structure of the alloy provided superplasticity with elongation to failure up to 450% in the temperature range of 550°C to 605°C and a strain rate range of 10 –3 s –1 to 10 –2 s –1 .