Effect of powerful current pulses on the structure and mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy Al-6%Mg-0.6%Mn

摘要

Changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of commercial aluminum alloy Al-6%Mg-0.6%Mn after recrystallization have been studied. This alloy was recrystallized by two methods: annealing in air at temperatures of 250 to 450 °C for 20 min in an electrical resistance furnace; and passing an electrical current pulse by discharging a bank of capacitors (with a duration of about 100 μs). It is shown that electrical pulsed treatment produced a fine-grained structure in the Al-6%Mg-0.6%Mn alloy with a grain size (2–3 µm) smaller than the one annealed in the furnace and improved the mechanical properties of this material.