Microstructure, texture and interface integrity in sheets processed by Asymmetric Accumulative Roll-Bonding

Accumulative Roll-Bonding (ARB) and Asymmetric Rolling (AR) techniques were combined to produce ultrafine-grained aluminum sheets with the mechanical characteristics of a Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) process. Temperature and number of bonding cycles were varied to promote grain refinement, texture randomization and high-quality sheet bonding. Finite element simulation for a single pass was performed to clarify the strain distribution differences between symmetric and asymmetric roll -bonding. The microstructure and crystallographic texture were measured by Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray diffraction. Hardness and tensile tests characterized strain distribution and bonding efficiency. A fine grain structure with a mean grain size of 1.0 mu m was achieved at 350 degrees C, whereas a coarser grain structure was obtained at 400 degrees C. The grain size and shape distribution were linked to enhancing the mechanical strength in a transversal direction. During repeated bonding cycles at both temperatures, extra shear in the interfacial region yielded favorable homogeneous strain distribution and a weak shear texture across the sheet. Rotated-cube orientation was the strongest component in both processing temperatures. To increase the interfacial strength, mainly on the last bond interface, an extra 50% reduction step was added. This improved the adhesion in the last bonding interface, and thus enhanced the ductility. These findings helped to provide a basis for determining the processing conditions for aluminum alloys. (AU)