LAUSR

Abstract The microstructure evolution of spray formed and rapidly solidified Al−Cu−Mg alloy with fine grains during rapid cold punching and recrystallization annealing was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the precipitates of fine-grained Al−Cu−Mg alloy during rapid cold punching and recrystallization annealing mainly consist of S phase and a small amount of coarse Al6Mn phase. With the increase of deformation passes, the density of precipitates increases, the size of precipitates decreases significantly, and the deformation and transition bands disappear gradually. In addition, the grains are refined and tend to be uniform. Defects introduced by rapid cold punching contribute to the precipitation and recrystallization, and promote nucleation and growth of S phase and recrystallization. Deformation and transition bands in the coarse grains transform into deformation-induced grain boundary during the deformation and recrystallization, which refine grains, obtain uniform nanocrystalline structure and promote homogeneous distribution of S phase.