The Effect of Homogenization and Hot Deformation on the Recrystallization Behavior in Aluminum Alloy AA8079

For Al-Fe-Si foil stock alloys, the recrystallization behavior is one of the key features for the design of the thermo-mechanical process route, which is highly dependent on the content of the elements in solute solution, especially Fe. Consequently, the combined effects of homogenization and hot deformation on the recrystallization behavior are of great interest. The focus of this work is on the resulting recrystallization behavior during hot deformation caused by different homogenization annealings prior to hot deformation. AA8079 samples were homogenized at two different temperatures and then used for uniaxial hot-compression tests at temperatures between 320 degrees C and 440 degrees C. The resulting hot deformation and recrystallization behavior were investigated by means of flow curves, optical microscopy, and microhardness measurements. A finite element method (FEM)-based simulation model was used to compute local temperatures and strain rates. The experimental investigation revealed a significant influence of the homogenization treatment on the hot deformation flow stress and subsequent recrystallization behavior.