Effect of Zr Addition on Microstructure and Warm Formability of Al-Mg Sheet Alloys

The trace element Zr was added to an Al-Mg alloy to investigate its effects on microstructure and warm formability of aluminium sheets. Microstructural examination showed that the Zr addition resulted in an elongated grain structure due to inhibitedrecovery and recrystallization by Al3Zr particles during thermomechanical treatments. In order to evaluate the warm formability, warm tensile tests were carried out at temperatures ranging from 275 to 350°C, and at strain rates ranging from 0.015 to 1.5 s-1. The results showed that the addition of Zr increased the flow stress but decreased the ductility at most test conditions. At a low strain rate of 0.015 s-1, the addition of Zr resulted in low ductility at 350°C but high ductility at 275°C.The effect of Zr additions on warm formability is discussed on the basis of the microstructural changes.