Effect of Warm Equal-Channel Angular Pressing on the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Al–Mg–Ca–Mn–Fe–Zr Alloy

The effect of equal-channel angular pressing on the structure, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the Al–5% Mg–1% Ca–0.9% Mn–0.5% Fe–0.1% Zr alloy has been studied. Samples in the annealed state have been subjected to ECAP under the following conditions: by route BC, at a temperature of 400°C, an angle of channel intersection of 110°, and the number of passes of N = 8. ECAP results in (i) the formation of a substructure with a high dislocation density and (ii) the precipitation of Al6(Mn, Fe) and Al3Zr nanoparticles in the alloy. ECAP increases both strength and plasticity of the alloy. The strength of the alloy after ECAP increases by a factor of 1.3–1.5 and the relative elongation, by a factor of 2.0–2.5 in comparison with the initial state.