Tensile behavior of ultrafine-grained Al-4Zn-2Mg alloy produced by cryorolling

An Al-4Zn-2Mg alloy was subjected to cryorolling (CR) followed by short annealing. An average grain size of ∼100 nm was achieved. Cryorolled samples showed large reduction in grain size due to suppression of dynamic recovery and absence of annihilation of dislocations, as compared to room temperature rolled samples. Further, the ultrafine-grained (UFG) Al-4Zn-2Mg alloy when subjected to natural aging showed an improved strength of ∼413 MPa with ductility of ∼25%, as compared to ∼360 MPa and 22% ductility in peak aged condition of coarse-grained alloy. However, UFG alloy in peak aging condition, exhibited a relatively strength (~375 MPa) and 24% ductility combinations than the natural aging condition. The latter is attributed to dynamic precipitation and stored energy. In the present study, it is demonstrated that simultaneous improvement in strength as well as ductility can be achieved for the Al-4Zn-2Mg alloy through CR and controlled heat treatment combinations. © 2011 ASM International.