The Microstructure and Texture of Warm Rolled 3004 Aluminium

Abstract

The effect of warm/hot rolling temperature on the microstructure and texture of a commercial grade 3004 alloy has been examined for material solution treated at two different temperatures (580° and 400℃). The first of these would be expected to maximise the solute concentration and particle spacing while the second should result in a dispersion of fine particles. Microstructural heterogeneity was not observed in material rolled to 75% reduction in a single pass at temperatures > 400℃. This is reflected in the textures where the ODF′s are flat and the β fibre weak and uniform. In material rolled after being re‐heated to 200℃ and 300℃ heterogeneity and banded microstructures were observed. This was less marked for specimens solution treated at 400℃. Shear bands formed only in material solution treated at 580℃. A strong C component was found only in the texture of specimens solution treated at 400℃ and rolled at 200℃ and 300℃. These effects are believed to have their origin in differences in the extent of dynamic recovery.