Combined deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of 7050 aluminum alloy during hot shear-compression deformation

The shear-compression specimen was employed to study the hot deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of 7050 aluminum alloy at transient conditions. Rapid drop of the flow curves after the peak stress was the common feature at low temperatures, which resulted in the strain localization along the edges of the deformation zone. The combined deformation features with a competition between compression and shear were proved. In the early stage of the deformation, the compression strain played the dominated role. Instead, the shear strain became the main strain path in the subsequent stage. For the large equivalent strain and high strain rate, the dynamic microstructure evolution was enhanced. Moreover, the dynamic recrystallization exhibited multiple features in term of geometric, discontinuous and continuous recrystallization. Finally, the relations between flow behavior and microstructure evolution were presented and discussed.