Study on the mechanical properties and microstructures of Al-Cu-Mg alloy thick plates obtained by different hot rolling processes

Abstract In the research, the microstructures of large-scale 2324 aluminum alloy thick plates obtained through two different hot rolling processes are investigated by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). Additionally, the tensile properties of the plates are evaluated at room temperature. The results indicate that the thick plates produced by Process A exhibit higher tensile and yield strengths along the L (longitudinal) and LT (long transverse) directions. The higher proportion of deformed microstructures is an important factor contributing to their enhanced tensile and yield strengths. Meanwhile, the different rolling processes have minimal impact on the kind and distribution of the second phase in the hot-rolled thick plates, with the second phase primarily consisting of Al 2 Cu and Al 2 CuMg phases, which are distributed in a streamlined way along the rolling direction of the thick plates. The microstructures of the hot-rolled thick plates obtained from both hot-rolling processes are dominated by deformed structures. The thick plates produced by Process B have relatively smaller grain sizes and a higher degree of fragmentation, making their microstructure more susceptible to recrystallization transformation during subsequent solution heat treatment.