Effect of Cold Rolling Prior to Homogenization Heat Treatment on the Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Twin-Roll Cast 8026 Aluminum Alloy

In this study, the effects of homogenization heat treatment and amount of cold rolling prior to intermediate soft annealing on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of cold rolled twin-roll cast EN AW-8026 aluminum alloy after soft annealing were investigated. For this purpose, homogenization heat treatment was carried out on as-cast strips and after cold rolling with an equivalent strain of 1.15. Homogenized samples were cold rolled to the same strip thickness with two different equivalent strains and exposed to intermediate annealing. Annealed samples were cold rolled with an equivalent strain of 2.40 and soft annealed. Results show that homogenization heat treatment leads to the formation of equiaxed grain during intermediate annealing and final soft annealing. However, cold rolling prior to homogenization heat treatment results in higher homogenization temperatures for the formation of equiaxed grain during intermediate annealing and final soft annealing.