Quantifying the recrystallization of cold rolled AA 3015 aluminum alloy by X-ray diffraction

The recrystallization kinetics of continuous cast (CC) AA 3015 aluminum alloy with and without pre-treatment has been investigated by X-ray diffraction and measurements of hardness. The variation in texture volume fractions with annealing time reflects better the progress of recrystallization. The JMAK exponent and the activation energy for recrystallization derived from texture data are in good agreement with those from hardness data. Monitoring the change of texture volume fractions during annealing is shown to be a feasible method of determining the recrystallization kinetics of aluminum alloys. The recrystallization kinetics and recrystallization texture of CC AA 3015 aluminum alloy are strongly affected by concurrent precipitation. Concurrent precipitation significantly retards the recrystallization of CC AA 3015 aluminum alloy, decreases the JMAK exponent, enhances the activation energy for recrystallization, and results in a strong P recrystallization texture.