Dispersion of soft Bi particles and grain refinement of matrix in an Al-Bi alloy by equal channel angular pressing

The deformation behavior of a soft particle containing Al-8Bi hypermonotectic alloy during equal-channel angular pressing was studied. The size, shape and distribution of soft Bi particles are substantially modified via shearing, fragmentation, coalescence and ripening. It is found that the soft Bi particles have a strong influence on promoting refinement of Al grains via particle stimulated continuous dynamic recrystallization. The present work provides an effective methodology to obtain monotectic aluminium alloys with well-dispersed soft phase particles.