Physically-based modelling of strength, microstructure and recrystallisation during thermomechanical processing of Al-Mg alloys

This paper investigates recent microstructural models applied to hot working of Al-Mg alloys. Predictions of flow stress and recrystallisation behaviour are evaluated, for steady deformation following an initial transient in deformation conditions. The models are based on the evolution of three internal state variables: (i) the subgrain size, (ii) the dislocation density inside the subgrains, and (iii) the misorientation between neighbouring subgrains. The sensitivity of the predictions to uncertainty in the microstructural data is highlighted, and this indicates the need for realism in developing such models and proposing an accompanying experimental program.