Strength of Commercial Aluminum Alloys after Equal Channel Angular Pressing and Post-ECAP Processing

The effects of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP), further heat treatment and rolling on the structure and room temperature mechanical properties of the commercial aluminum alloys 6061 (Al-0.9Mg-0.7Si) and 1560 (Al-6.5Mg-0.6Mn) were investigated. It has been shown that the strength of the alloys after ECAP is higher than that achieved after conventional processing. Prior ECAP solution treatment and post-ECAP ageing can additionally increase the strength of the 6061 alloy. Under optimal ageing conditions a yield strength (YS) of 434 MPa and am ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 470 MPa were obtained for the alloy. Additional cold rolling leads to a YS and UTS of 475 and 500 MPa with 8% elongation. It was found that the post-ECAP isothermal rolling of the 1560 alloy resulted in the formation of a nano-fibred structure and a tensile strength (YS = 540 MPa and UTS = 635 MPa) that has never previously been observed in commercial non-heat treatable alloys.