Work hardening and mechanical properties of severely deformed AA3003 by constrained groove pressing

A severe plastic straining method, called constrained groove pressing, is used to improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of non-hardenable 3003 Al–Mn alloy. Williamson–Hall method is utilized to measure the grain size from X-ray diffraction patterns of deformed samples. The results show that ultra-fine grained 3003 alloy having grain size of 580 nm can be successfully produced by constrained groove pressing at room temperature. Mechanical properties of sheets, examined by tensile test, are approximately exhibited 170% improvement in comparison with those of annealed sample. Also, comparing the achieved results with those of aluminum 1100 alloy confirms the rapid rate of grain refinement and mechanical properties improvement in 3003 alloy. This is attributed to the presence of fine dispersoids of Al6Mn in microstructure of the alloy. Tensile tests demonstrate that the work hardening rate of constrained groove pressed sheet is increased in comparison with that of annealed samples. Investigating of the work hardening by a model reveals why improvement stops after third pass and also work hardening rate diagrams show that only one stage of work hardening is detectable for the sheet after three passes of constrained groove pressing, while in lower pass numbers, more work hardening stages can be observed.

► After 3 passes of CGP process grain size of 580 nm was achieved.
► After 3 passes of CGP process, mechanical properties were enhanced up to 170%.
► Fine dispersoids accelerated the rate of grain refinement and strength improvement.
► Investigating of work hardening revealed why improvement stops after third pass.
► Work hardening stages of CGPed sheets were decreased with increasing the strain.