Effects of Powder Size and Shape on Microstructure of Al Thin Plate Formed by Compression Shearing Method at Room Temperature

Abstract

Aluminum and its alloys are used in many applications because they are lightweight. However, their usefulness would be enhanced if they were stronger. In this study, thin Al plates were fabricated by compression shearing at room temperature with the aim of controlling their mechanical properties including ductility. Mechanical strength was related to grain size by the Hall-Petch relationship. The microstructures of the samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. They were found to have an average grain size in the range of 0.5-1 μm irrespective of the raw material used. The average grain sizes of the samples were uniform. The crystals of all the samples were oriented in the (1 0 0) direction.