Abstract
It is frequently desirable to limit the low temperature softening behaviour of aluminium alloys to preserve mechanical properties after sheet jinishing operations. A balance must often be made between (i) inhibiting recovery and recrystallisation of hard rolled sheet at temperatures below 300°C and (ii) achieving full recrystallisation and a fine grain size above 300°C. The results of the present study show that changes in solute concentration in solid solution by either composition or processing modifications can be used to control recovery and recrystallisation of commercial purity aluminium sheet. The mechanisms involved in stabilising the microstructure are discussed in terms of the property improvements obtained.
MST/1271