A model for prediction of softening kinetics and microstructures during isothermal annealing of cold-rolled aluminum alloy

In this work, a multi-scale model was developed to determine softening kinetics and microstructures during isothermal annealing of aluminum alloys. Firstly, a finite element analysis was conducted to compute the distributions of effective plastic strain and the stored energy after cold rolling. In the next stage, a two-dimensional cellular automata algorithm coupled with a first order rate equation was employed to estimate the progress of softening process including recrystallization and recovery while the results of the continuum modeling of cold rolling were used as the initial conditions for the mesoscopic model. The proposed model was examined on cold-rolled 1050 aluminum alloy in which the softening behavior of this alloy was measured and predicted at 360°C for different annealing durations. The changes in microstructures and mechanical properties were determined by means of optical metallography and hardness measurement. A good agreement was found between the two sets of data indicating the validity of the model and the utilized algorithm.

Keywords:

Aluminum alloy , cold rolling , Static softening , Cellular automata , Finite element analysis