Akira Kawahara

Recrystallization Behaviour in Twin-Roll Continuous Cast Al-Fe-Ni Alloy

Factors controlling the recrystallization of a continuous cast Al-Fe-Ni alloy were investigated by analyzing microstructure, grain structure, texture, and electron backscattering patterns. The texture of an as-rolled sample heated at 400°C was similar to that of a sample at the reduction ratio of 50% after intermediate annealing at 550°C. The as-rolled samples had a strong (213)[36-4] (S-type) orientation that was changed to a strong (130)[3-12] (QQ-type) orientation by heating at 400°C. This recrystallization looks like continuous recrystallization. Discontinuous recrystallization due to particle-stimulated nucleation is suppressed by the fine dispersion of Al-Fe-Ni-Si particles that form during casing and intermediate annealing, and stabilize the grain and subgrain structure. We think that a course initial grain structure and moderate level of strain level are the important factors promoting continuous recrystallization in this alloy.