Abstract
In the present work an Al-Mn-(Fe-Si) model alloy has been subjected to different homogenization treatments, to achieve materials with different microchemistry states in terms of constituents, levels of Mn in solid solution (potential for concurrent precipitation) and dispersoid densities, followed by cold rolling and back-annealing. Characterization of the microchemistry state after homogenization and the evolution in dispersoid precipitation and its effects on the softening behavior after deformation has been performed. It is demonstrated that variations in microchemistry may have dramatic effects on the softening kinetics and the final grain structures, where both pre-existing fine and dense dispersoids before back annealing as well as precipitation concurrent with recovery and recrystallization strongly retard kinetics and generally lead to a coarse grain structure, while conditions with no or limited concurrent precipitation softens much faster and generally results in an even, fine and equi-axed grain structure. The different softening behaviors have been discussed in terms of Zener drag effects derived from the dispersoid evolutions.
