Interactive microstructural phenomena during non-isothermal annealing of an Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy
Highlights: • A non-isothermal annealing process that is concurrent with precipitation is investigated. • The mechanism of grain refinement through the interactions of precipitation, recovery and recrystallization is identified. • The combination of non-isothermal annealing and proper pre-deformation temper condition tetrads recovery. • Massive recrystallization nucleation is achieved by delaying recovery. • The growth of recrystallized grains is controlled by coarsening of precipitates that pin the grain boundaries. - Abstract: Interactions between precipitation, recovery and recrystallization during a non-isothermal annealing process in an Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy have been investigated through a comprehensive experimental analysis. Non-isothermal annealing with a slow heating rate that starts from a low temperature is found to promote homogeneous nucleation of precipitates. The uniformly distributed precipitates limit the extent of recovery, which in turn facilitates extensive nucleation of new grains within the deformed microstructure. The growth of the recrystallized grains is strongly controlled through pinning of grain boundaries by precipitates. During the final stages of annealing, enhanced diffusion at the recrystallization front leads to preferential precipitate coarsening, release of grain boundaries from precipitates pinning, and completion of recrystallization. These interactive microstructural phenomena explain the effectiveness of a non-isothermal annealing route combined with an adequate level of deformation in obtaining a fine-grained recrystallized structure.