Effects of nanosized TiCp on the microstructure evolution and tensile properties of an Al-Mg-Si alloy during cold rolling.

Abstract The effects of a small addition of nanosized TiC particles (TiC p) on the microstructure evolution of the Al-Mg-Si (6061) alloy throughout the entire fabrication process including casting, cold rolling and heat treatments were investigated. TiC p impeded the recrystallization and grain growth, refined the grain structure, and evidently increased the tensile strength without obvious decrease on ductility. The ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of the 1.0 wt% TiC p /6061 composite were 330 MPa and 275 MPa in T6 state and 438 MPa and 426 MPa in the as-rolled state, an increase of 42 MPa and 38 MPa, 41 MPa and 52 MPa, respectively, compared to the matrix 6061 alloy. The strength increase is attributed to strengthening effect of TiC p , dislocation accumulation and precipitate strengthening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]