Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Al–40 wt.%Zn alloy processed by equal-channel angular extrusion

The Al-based Al–40 wt.%Zn alloy was subjected to multi-pass equal-channel angular extrusion (ECAE) via route-A and route-BC. Before and after ECAE processing, microstructural evolution, the tensile properties, impact toughness and fracture behavior of the alloy were investigated. ECAE processing caused to elimination of the as-cast dendritic microstructure and formed a structure consisting of elongated, ribbon shaped α-phase via route-A and mostly equiaxed α-phase via route-BC. ECAE processing also caused plastic instability as necking at early onset of deformation. As a result of more effective mechanical mixing via route-BC, softening and necking occurred more apparently. The tensile and yield strength of the alloy increased just after first pass and then slightly decreased with increasing number of passes. On the other hand, its elongation to failure and impact toughness increased with increasing number of passes in both routes. The increase obtained via route-A is more pronounced in both properties. Fracture behavior of the as-cast alloy changed from brittle to ductile mode after multi-pass ECAE. Elimination of dendritic as-cast structure with reduction of porosities and deformation-induced homogenization by the effect of ECAE processing increased the ductility and impact toughness of the alloy and caused formation of a fracture surface consisting of micro-voids and dimples which indicates of ductile fracture. Attained experimental results indicate that multi-pass ECAE processing is very effective in improving the tensile elongation and impact toughness of binary Al–40 wt.%Zn alloy.