Enhancing creep formability and comprehensive property in Al-Mg-Si alloy by combinatorial pre-ageing and large pre-deformation

A thermal-mechanical route proceeding by pre-ageing and heavy cold-rolling has been developed to significantly improve both the creep formability and comprehensive properties in an Al-Mg-Si alloy. The uniform creep deformation increases by 2-5 times and the strength enhances by 60-140 MPa without sacrificing ductility compared to the conventional treatment. The pre-ageing at 180 degrees C could tune the density, mobility and distribution of the dislocations generated during cold-rolling. A physical metallurgical picture of the pre-ageing-dependent creep ageing in the cold-worked Al-Mg-Si alloy is established based on complementary transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Concurrent solutes precipitation and dislocation recovery contribute to the exceptional creep ageing response in the heavily cold-deformed Al-Mg-Si alloy. The high density dislocations could substantially promote the creep deformation and improve the strength-ductility balance. The fragmentation of grains and the inhibition of continuous precipitation along the grain boundary lead to a superior resistance to inter-granular corrosion. Our results demonstrate the application potential of solutes precipitation control before large predeformation in creep age forming of Al alloy components with unusual figures of merit.

Automated summary

The thermal-mechanical route of pre-ageing and heavy cold-rolling has shown significant improvements in creep formability and comprehensive properties in Al-Mg-Si alloy. By controlling solutes precipitation and dislocation recovery, extraordinary creep ageing response in heavily cold-deformed alloy was achieved. This approach demonstrates the potential for enhancing creep age forming of Al alloy components with exceptional figures of merit.