Analyzing the Effect of Fe on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Fibrous AA6110 Alloy

Abstract In this study, the effect of three different levels of iron impurity on the grain structure and texture of a fibrous AA6110 alloy after hot extrusion was investigated. Microstructural examination was carried out to measure the microtexture and the results were correlated with tensile and bending mechanical properties. Results demonstrated that the fragmented intermetallic particles after extrusion stimulate the nucleation of new grains, therefore refining the grain structure. The thickness of peripheral coarse grains was found to decrease by increasing Fe content due to increasing nano-sized dispersoid precipitation density. Increment Fe-rich intermetallics on the one hand leads to entrapment of Si solute reducing free Si needed for precipitation hardening shown via thermodynamic calculations. The bending formability was found to correlate with the grain structure of the PCG thickness. The results are compared with Part 1 of this research on the study of Fe content in recrystallized alloys. This work helps to a better understanding of recyclability in Al extrusion alloys. Graphical Abstract This shows the extruded AA6110 alloy having fibrous grain structures. The deep microstructural observation from macro to nanosized particles show the grain structure, particle stimulated nucleation, and dispersoid precipitation. Additional Fe in the composition of alloys result in increment of Fe-based intermetallic phase which break down and stretch during extrusion while grain structure evolves by dynamic recrystallization.