Effect of Thermomechanical Treatment on the Grain Boundary Structure in Pure Aluminum

Abstract

In recent years, many researchers have shown great interest in understanding the structure of grain boundaries and their influence on the mechanical properties in metals and alloys. In recent years, the structure of grain boundaries and their control have been considered as a means of understanding the strengthening mechanisms in metals and alloys. There are many ways by which the grain boundary structure can be changed both in pure metals and alloys. One such means considered here is the thermomechanical treatment of pure metals.In the present work, high purity (99.9999%) aluminum sheet, mill rolled to 0.004 in. thick, is used. The as-received condition of the sample was flash-annealed at 903°K in an argon atmosphere. Batch specimens from this stock were cold rolled to 50% reduction in thickness and annealed in air at 903°K followed by either furnace cooling or air cooling to room temperature.