Evaluation of mechanical properties on Bimodal structured AA 4032 Alloy

Abstract

The microstructure, mechanical properties and deformation behavior of bimodal structured nanocrystalline AA 4032 alloy was investigated. Grain refinement was achieved by mechanical alloying of elemental powders of AA 4032 alloy. The ball milled powders were blended with different weight fractions of as-received micron sized alloy powders of similar composition and were consolidated by hot pressing to produce bulk nanocrystalline alloys. It was observed that with increased fractions of micron sized alloy powders, the ductility is restored significantly. However, reduction in strength was observed. The deformation behavior under uniaxial compression shows highly localized plastic deformation. The fracture of the alloy was attributed to shear localization and a combined effect of shear localization and cavitations.