Impact of homogenization on recrystallization of a supersaturated Al-Mn alloy

Impact of homogenization on the response of thin Al-Mn strips to interannealing was investigated. A homogenization anneal at the start of processing relaxes the supersaturation of the thin Al-Mn strip and avoids the precipitation-recrystallization interaction. The homogenized samples enjoy, in addition to an already decomposed matrix, a dispersion of coarse intermetallic particles resulting in a faster recrystallization. Reversion of the fine precipitates during cold-rolling and their reprecipitation during a subsequent annealing treatment displaces recrystallization to higher temperatures. (C) 2008 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.