Characterization of ultra-fine grained aluminum produced by accumulative back extrusion (ABE)

In the present work, the microstructural evolutions and microhardness of AA1050 subjected to one, two and three passes of accumulative back extrusion (ABE) were investigated. The microstructural evolutions were characterized using transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that applying three passes of accumulative back extrusion led to significant grain refinement. The initial grain size of 47 μm was refined to the grains of 500 nm after three passes of ABE. Increasing the number of passes resulted in more decrease in grain size, better microstructure homogeneity and increase in the microhardness. The cross-section of ABEed specimen consisted of two different zones: (i) shear deformation zone, and (ii) normal deformation zone. The microhardness measurements indicated that the hardness increased from the initial value of 31 Hv to 67 Hv, verifying the significant microstructural refinement via accumulative back extrusion.

► A significant grain refinement can be achieved in AA1050, Al alloy by applying ABE.
► Microstructural homogeneity of ABEed samples increased by increasing the number of ABE cycles.
► A substantial increase in the hardness, from 31 Hv to 67 Hv, was recorded.