Improvement of Microstructure and Properties of 8011 Aluminum Alloy Cast-rolled Billets Based on Multi-process Synergistic Optimization

NIAN Tao; PENG Yanzhi; PU Zhiping; XU Zunyan; LI Caiju

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.12.017

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (12) : 157-168. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.12.017

Light Alloy Forming

Improvement of Microstructure and Properties of 8011 Aluminum Alloy Cast-rolled Billets Based on Multi-process Synergistic Optimization

NIAN Tao, PENG Yanzhi, PU Zhiping, XU Zunyan^*, LI Caiju^*

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Abstract

The work aims to study systematically elucidate the multidimensional regulation mechanisms of three key processes, cold rolling pre-deformation, homogenizing annealing, and intermediate annealing, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 8011 aluminum alloy cast-rolled billets, thereby addressing production issues such as foil breakage and pinholes caused by microstructural inhomogeneity, and providing robust theoretical guidance for the process route of high-precision aluminum foil production. Using a cast-rolled billets characterized by the presence of Al₉Fe₂Si₂ secondary phases and a gradient microstructure (3-5 μm fine grains at the surface and 10-15 μm coarse grains at the center), the following optimized processing chain was implemented. First, a 75% cold rolling pre-deformation was applied, resulting in the formation of 3.58 μm ultrafine grains and a strengthening of the β-fiber texture components, specifically Brass{011}<211> and S{123}<634>. This process reduced the recrystallization activation energy to 14.97 kJ/mol. Subsequently, homogenizing annealing was conducted at 530 ℃ for 3 h, which promoted the uniform dispersion of secondary phases, facilitated grain growth to an average size of 37.28 μm, and weakened the Cube texture intensity to 5.4. Finally, at a strip thickness of 0.24 mm, an intermediate annealing treatment at 400 ℃ for 1 h was performed. This step increased the precipitates content to a peak value of 4.28%, refined and homogenized the grain size to 18.16 μm, and significantly reduced the planar anisotropy Δr to 0.023 4. Through the synergistic effect of this processing chain, the material's strength and ductility were simultaneously enhanced. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) reached 108.2 MPa, coupled with an elongation (EI) of 40.55%. The Erichsen cup test value increased to 9.38 mm, and the Δr value was maintained at 0.023 4, indicating a significant improvement in plastic formability and thickness uniformity. The initial gradient and inhomogeneous microstructure was transformed into an optimized state characterized by uniform phase dispersion, refined grains, and controlled texture. This transformation fundamentally suppressed the occurrence of foil breakage and pinhole defects. In conclusion, the integrated optimized process-comprising 75% cold rolling pre-deformation+homogenizing annealing at 530 ℃ for 3 h+intermediate annealing at 400 ℃ for 1 h-not only effectively mitigates quality issues in aluminum foil stemming from microstructural inhomogeneity in the cast-rolled billets but also enhances the overall performance and quality stability of the final foil product. This research provides both a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the production of high-precision aluminum foil.

Key words

twin-roll casting / annealing / recrystallization / microstructure / planar anisotropy

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NIAN Tao, PENG Yanzhi, PU Zhiping, XU Zunyan, LI Caiju. Improvement of Microstructure and Properties of 8011 Aluminum Alloy Cast-rolled Billets Based on Multi-process Synergistic Optimization[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2025, 17(12): 157-168 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.12.017

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