Microstructural evolution in a fine-grained Al–0.3 wt.% Sc alloy produced by severe plastic deformation

The high temperature microstructural stability of a fine-grained Al–0.3 wt.% Sc alloy, generated by equal channel angular pressing, was investigated. The alloy was highly resistant to recrystallization with the stability related to the particle dispersion parameter, f/d, where f is the volume fraction and d is the mean diameter of Al3Sc particles in the alloy, respectively. For f/d < 0.4 μm−1, the initial fine-grained microstructure recrystallized to a coarse grain size.