MICROSTRUCTURE AND TEXTURE EVOLUTION IN HOT ROLLED AA-3004 ALUMINUM-ALLOY

The evolution of microstructure and texture in industrially hot rolled AA 3004 aluminium alloy has been studied. Specimens were subjected to isothermal annealing treatments and the recrystallisation kinetics was determined via measurement of changes in hardness at surface and centre locations. Metallographic examination of specimens was performed using electron channelling contrast. With the aid of an image processor, the Mg2Si precipitate count and size distributions were obtained. A significant increase in the number of precipitates was observed to occur after the completion of recrystallisation. Quantitative texture analysis was performed on the tapered specimens to characterise the through thickness effect. The quantity of cube texture component was shown to be higher at the surface than at the centre location and decreased with increasing exit temperature of the hotband.