Development of surface layers in Al 2024 via accumulative roll bonding and correlation of microstructural evolution with damping behavior
摘要
This study investigates the development of ultrafine-grained surface layers in Al 2024 alloy through accumulative roll bonding (ARB) and correlates the resulting microstructural evolution with damping behavior. Multiple ARB cycles induced severe plastic deformation, leading to significant grain refinement from approximately 55 μm in the base material to ~ 4.9 μm in the processed alloy. Optical microscopy confirmed the transition from elongated coarse grains to a uniform equiaxed ultrafine structure. SEM–EDS analysis revealed fragmentation and homogeneous redistribution of coarse θ (Al₂Cu) and S (Al₂CuMg) precipitates into fine dispersoids, while TEM–SAD studies indicated high dislocation density, subgrain formation, and lattice distortion. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated a notable enhancement in damping capacity, increasing from ~ 0.026–0.045 in the base metal to ~ 0.037–0.06 at 1–30 Hz after ARB. The improved damping performance is attributed to intensified dislocation–precipitate interactions, increased grain boundary area, and enhanced grain boundary sliding mechanisms. The combined effects of ultrafine grains, fragmented precipitates, and high defect density significantly promote internal friction and energy dissipation. This study establishes a clear structure–property relationship and demonstrates that ARB is an effective severe plastic deformation technique for tailoring microstructure and enhancing vibration-damping performance in high-strength aluminum alloys.