Microstructural evolution of annealed Al–5 wt% Ca–5 wt% Zn sheet alloy

Abstract

Microstructural evolution on annealing of Al–5 wt% Ca–5 wt% Zn sheet alloy has been systematically investigated by means of texture analysis and optical and transmission electron microscopy. Heat treatments in the temperature range of 100 to 540 °C for times between 0.11 (7 min) and 90.5 h have been performed. After annealing, the main texture component of the as- received material, {1 1 3} <3 3 2>, was retained, whereas the minor components, {0 1 3} <3 1 0> and {0 1 1} <1 0 0>, showed clear changes depending on the annealing conditions. Additional minor components appeared upon heat treatments. Continuous recrystallization, subgrain accommodation by means of rotation and subsequent extensive grain growth are the processes which account for all the microstructural changes observed.