Precipitation hardening and recrystallization behavior of AlMgErZr alloys

The precipitation hardening and recrystallization behavior of AlMgErZr alloys have been investigated. The results show that Mg solute and its concentration has negligible influence on the precipitation of Al3(ErZr). The distribution of the precipitates is inhomogeneous due to the inhomogeneous distribution of the solute species formed during solidification. The recrystallization temperatures of the alloys with addition of Er and Zr are higher than that of the alloys free of Er and Zr, especially the recrystallization end temperature of the AlMgErZr alloy which is at least 200 °C higher than that of the Al5Mg alloy due to the retardation of the precipitates. Recrystallization of AlMgErZr alloys initiates at the precipitation free zone. The recrystallization starting temperatures of the AlMgErZr alloys increase with the decrease of the Mg concentration due to high deformation energy of the AlMgErZr alloy with high Mg concentration, and the recrystallization end temperatures are close among AlMgErZr alloys with different Mg concentration.