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In the present work, two types of thermo-mechanical treatments were performed to enhance the mutually contradictory strength and electrical conductivity of Al–Mg–Si alloy. The microstructures, conducting and mechanical behavior of the alloy during conventional artificial aging treatment (solution treating, aging) and thermo-mechanical treatments (solution treating, cold rolling, aging and solution treating, pre-aging, cold rolling, re-aging) were investigated. The results indicate that the Al–Mg–Si alloy after 70% cold rolling and aging at 180 °C for 6 h reveals higher ultimate tensile strength and electrical conductivity (being 267 MPa and 58.2% IACS) than the conventional peak-aged alloys do (being 248 MPa and 54.8% IACS). Further simultaneously enhanced ultimate tensile strength and electrical conductivity, as high as 301 MPa and 58.9% IACS, respectively, can be acquired for the alloy after pre-aging at 180 °C for 2 h and then 70% cold rolling followed by re-aging at 180 °C for 6 h. With the aid of the microstructure evolution, the factors which lead to the simultaneously enhanced strength and conductivity of the alloy are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot compression features of Ti-55511 alloy are investigated by high-temperature compression tests in α+β region. It is found that the flow stress and softening mechanisms are obviously influenced by deformation conditions. The true stress decreases with the reduced strain rate or the raised temperature. The spheroidization of α phase and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of β phase easily occur at low temperatures such as 973, 1003 and 1033 K, while the dynamic recovery (DRV) of β phase mainly occurs at high temperatures such as 1063 K because of the transformation from α phase to β phase at relatively high temperatures A dislocation density-based constitutive model, which is associated with DRV, work hardening mechanisms and the spheroidization of α phases, is established and validated to describe flow behavior. The correlation coefficient (R) and average absolute relative error (AARE) of the established model are 0.9924 and 6.8%, respectively. 3D power dissipation efficiency maps and processing maps are established to determine the appropriate processing window, i.e., too low temperatures (lower than 973 K) or too high strain rates (higher than 1 s−1) easily induce flow instability. Therefore, the medium temperature (1003–1063 K) and the low strain rate (0.001–0.1 s−1) are applicable for thermal compression of the studied titanium alloy. • Hot compression features of Ti-55511 alloy is investigated by high-temperature compression tests in α+β region. • DRX easily occurs at low temperatures, while DRV mainly occurs at high temperatures. • A accurate dislocation density-based constitutive model considering the spheroidization of α phases is established. • The optimal forming temperature and strain rate are 1003–1063 K and 0.001–0.1 s−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spheroidization and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) mechanisms of a Ti-55511 alloy during hot compression in α+β region is investigated. It is found that the spheroidization of lamellar α phases and DRX of β phases, which are obviously influenced by deformation conditions, are the main softening mechanisms. The spheroidization fraction of lamellar α phases first increases with the raised temperature or strain rate. However, the spheroidization fraction of lamellar α phases begins to drop at about 700 °C as the strain rate is higher than 0.01 s−1, and the maximum spheroidization fraction of lamellar α phase is about 2.3%. This phenomenon is attributed to the Implanting-Mechanism, which is induced by the common or close orientation relationships of the spheroidized and equiaxed α phases, as well as few dislocations between the spheroidized and equiaxed α phases. Contrarily, the lamellar α phases are obstructed from equiaxed α phases by a mass of dislocations. Additionally, the DRX degree of β phases increases with the reduced temperature or the raised strain rate. • Spheroidization and DRX mechanisms of a Ti-55511 alloy during hot compression in α+β region is investigated. • Spheroidization fraction of lamellar α phase first increases then drops with the raised strain rate. • The maximum spheroidization fraction of lamellar α phase is about 2.3% near 700 °C and 0.01 s−1. • Implanting-Mechanism, induced by the close orientation relationships of spheroidized and equiaxed α phases, is proposed. • The DRX extent of β phases increases with the reduced temperature and raised strain rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]