Dislocation ordering and texture strengthening of naturally aged Al-Cu-Mg alloy

Stability of grain structure, dislocation ordering and strengthening mechanisms of the naturally aged Al-Cu-Mg alloy after solution treatment are investigated by using optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Results show that {100} < 001 >, {100}< 110 >, {110}< 110 > and {110}< 001 > slip systems can be activated after solution treatment, which can promote the formation of {110} < 001 > Goss texture. The combination effect of T-Al20Cu2Mn3 phase and Goss-oriented grains with large Taylor factor makes the solution-treated alloys display excellent stability of grain structure. The enhanced yield strength of the alloy is ascribed to grain-refine strengthening, dispersed particles strengthening, dislocation strengthening and texture strengthening. The coarsening of the second phase is responsible for softening of the alloy after annealing at 400 degrees C + solution treatment at 475 degrees C. (c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

Automated summary

The stability of grain structure, dislocation ordering, and strengthening mechanisms of naturally aged Al-Cu-Mg alloy after solution treatment were investigated using various microscopy techniques. The alloy exhibited excellent stability of grain structure and enhanced yield strength, attributed to the synergistic effects of multiple strengthening mechanisms.