Abstract
An Al–10%Mg alloy was cold-rolled and aged in order to investigate the effects of cold working on the precipitation behavior and tensile properties. The specimens with various total reductions in area were isothermally aged at 413 K for up to 4.8 × 106 s. The precipitates were examined using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The precipitation was promoted by cold rolling and it was confirmed that the preferential precipitation of the stable precipitate, β-phase, at the shear bands was the reason for the stimulated precipitation. Full width of half maximum (FWHM) intensity of an X-ray diffraction peak, 0.2% proof stress and tensile strength showed peak values for the aging time of 1.8 × 106 s. Changes in 0.2% proof stress and tensile strength with aging time were affected by the precipitation and growth of a metastable precipitate, β'-phase, and the decrease in the concentration of solute Magnesium in the matrix.
