Journal of Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering

Volume 3 Issue 2

Effect of Temperature & Holding Time on Recrystallization

Behaviour of al-3%mn Alloy
Ankit Sheoran1, Ajay mahendru2, Jitender Singh2, Kanwarpal Singh2
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, RIEM, Rohtak
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, BRCMCET, Bahal, Haryana
sheoranankit9@gmail.com, jatram786@gmail.com, kanwarpal7@gmail.com, ajay5216@gmail.com

Abstract
Recrystallization generally occurs at low temperatures which results in significant change in
mechanical properties of the metal. In the present work Al-3% Mn alloy is prepared and
subjected to plastic deformation to study the recrystallization behavior. After plastic
deformation stresses are induced which are relieved by heat treatment at 600 °C. The
specimens are quenched after heat treatment so that alloy retains the same microstructure at
room temperature as it has at high temperatures. After quenching, the specimens are
subjected to recrystallization annealing at two different heat treatment temperatures (200° C
& 500° C) for different holding times (5, 15, 30 & 60 minutes). The values of hardness (HRB
&HRC) are calculated after recrystallization annealing for all the specimens. The
recrystallization behavior is studied by microstructure examination. It is observed that rate of
recrystallization increases with increase in temperature and the grain size depends upon the
holding temperatures.

Keywords—Recrystallization, alloy, deformation, annealing, temperature.

INTRODUCTION  There is large increase in number of

Recovery, recrystalization and grain
growth are the phenomena deeply
associated with annealing of plastically
deformed material. Plastic deformation
breaks up the structure of the crystal lattice
and cause distortion, and the metals
becomes harder and brittle. The plastic
deformation produces some defects such
as dislocation vacancies, interstitial atoms,
stacking faults, twin boundaries etc. the
energy stored at these defects. The
deformed grains that have been elongated
in one direction have a high dislocation
density, which creates nucleation sites for
new grains [1].
Also cold working has the following
effects on metals:
 Hardness, yield strength, ultimate
tensile strength and electric resistance
are increased.
 There is decrease in ductility,
formability and plasticity.
dislocation and certain planes in the
crystals are severely distorted which
result in inducing large residual
stresses in metals.
It is very necessary that metal be
somehow returned to conditions
similar to that of prior to deformation.
This can be achieved by process known an
annealing. It involves raising the
temperature of metal such that the system
may attain equilibrium and the properties
of metal are gradually recovered, as they
were before the deformation.
Fig. 1 Recovery Recrystallization Grain
growths
The rate of recrystallization depends on
time, temperature, and the amount of strain
(deformation) within the material.

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 Journal of Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering
Recrystallization normally has sigmoidal
behavior with time, starting slow,
accelerating and plateauing near the end
[2-4].
It has been reported that the addition of Zr,
Cr and Mn in the commercial aluminium
alloys can form fine dispersoids of
0.03~0.3 µm. These dispersoids strongly
affect strength, fracture toughness,
recrystallization characteristics and grain
Fig. 2 Variation of mechanical properties with (a) Deformation (b) Temperature
Fine Al3Zr and Fe–Mn particles control
recrystallization and grain growth in this
commercial Al–addition of zirconium to
the alloy and giving it low [8]. Ravovic Lj.
et al. [9] studied the recrystallization
behavior of AlMg3, AlMg4.5Mn and
AlMg6Mn alloy plate subjected to
different thermome chanical treatments
has been studied by means of optical
microscopy and hardness measurement.
Leslie et al. (1963) [10] reported that in an
iron 0.8% Cu alloy given a precipitation
treatment prior to cold work, rod-shaped
copper particles formed preferentially at
grain boundaries, while other particles
were associated with dislocations. The
presence of copper precipitation during
cold work was much more effective in
delaying recrystallization than was the
precipitation of copper after cold work but
before recrystallization. Olorunniwo et al.
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Volume 3 Issue 2
structure [5]. In the case of high-purity
aluminium, recrystallization takes place
below room temperature, instead of above
it [6]. Goel D. B. in 1980 [7] found that
Mn greatly influence the high temperature
hardness of aluminium. Where pure
aluminium takes nearly 10 minutes to
soften completely at 300°C while Al-
1.0%Mn alloy is not completely softened
even after annealing for 100 hours at the
same temperature.
[11] studied the effect of different
annealing temperature, holding time and
degree of deformation on recrystallization
rate of aluminium alloy (6063). It was
found that recrystallization temperature
affected the rate of recrystallization. Li X.
et al. [12] also found that the results of
micro structural observation and image
analysis indicate that the percent
recrystallization (%Rx) at a given heat
treatment temperature increase as the
fraction in thickness (%CW) increases for
all rolled ingots of 6061 and 6069.
In the present work an alloy was made by
using Al 6061 & Mn & the effect of
temperature and holding time on the
recrystalization behavior of the Al-Mn
alloy was examined. From literature
survey it was observed that addition of Mn
affects the rate of recrystalization of
 Journal of Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering
Aluminum. So for the present work Al-
3%Mn alloy was prepared. The present
work was carried out to achieve the
following objectives:
1. To prepare the Al-3%Mn alloy by
casting.
2. To study the recrystalization process of
Al-3% Mn alloy subjected to plastic
deformation (40%)
To study the effect of different
temperatures and holding time on the
recrystalization behavior of Al-3%Mn
alloy (with 40 % deformation).
II. EXPERIMENTATION
A. Casting of Al-3%Mn Alloy
A square bar of composition Al-3%Mn is
prepared by melting the Aluminum sheets
in to furnace and then adding Mn in
powdered state in the molten metal.
Casting of the alloy included following
steps:-
a. Mould Making
A cast iron mould of cross sectional area
4.00 cm X 4.00 cm and length 40 cm.
(approximately) is prepared by using „L‟
shape channel. So that the alloy obtained
after casting is in the form of square bar.
b. Alloy casting
Rectangular sheets of Al 6061 were used
for alloy casting. The sheets were melted
in a coal fired furnace. When the
temperature reached about 700○c then Mn
in powder form was mixed in the molten
metal with the help of motorized stirrer.
Fig. 3 Melt Stirring during Mn addition
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Volume 3 Issue 2
Fig. 4 Alloy after casting
B. Homogenization of the alloy
The alloy obtained via casting is not
homogeneous and is not suitable for
further work. So the alloy requires heat
treatment in order to produce uniform
microstructure. The alloy after casting was
placed in furnace at 600○C for
homogenization. The heat treatment
involved following three steps:-
a. Heating:-This is the first step in the
homogenization of the alloy. In this step
the metals are generally heated to a high
temperature. This temperature is selected
so that the desired micro structural
changes can take place. In the present
work, the Al-3% Mn square bar was
heated to 600°C in an electric heat
treatment furnace.
b. Holding: - In order to produce uniform
changes throughout the bar, it was held at
constant temperature for a certain amount
of time. The holding time depends upon
the thickness of the metal or specimen to
be heat treated. In the present work, the
Al-3% Mn bar was held at 600°C for 30
minutes.
c. Quenching: - After 30 minutes the bar
was rapidly cooled from 600°C to the
room temperature by water quenching.
Due to this rapid cooling, the alloy is able
to retain the same microstructure at room
temperature as was at 600°C.
 Journal of Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering
Fig. 5 Heat treatment at 600°C
Fig. 6 Alloy after cutting which is
prepared for rolling
C. Cutting
After homogenization the length of the bar
was not suitable for rolling so the bar was
cut into small pieces of 20 mm length with
cross sectional area 4.00 cm X 4.00 cm.
D. Rolling
After cutting to the appropriate length,
nine specimens were rolled in rolling mill
for 40% reduction in thickness. One
specimen was kept intact to study the
hardness & microstructure of parent metal.
Fig. 7 Rolling Machine for 40%
deformation
E. Heat Treatment
After rolling eight specimens are subjected
to heat treatment. One specimen is kept
intact to study the effect of cold working
on the hardness and microstructure of the
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Volume 3 Issue 2
Al-3%Mn alloy. In the present work, we
have to study the effect of holding time
and heat treatment temperature on the
recrystalization of Al-3% Mn alloy so for
this purpose two different heat treatment
temperatures are selected which are 200
°C and 500°C. The specimens are
subjected to heat treatment at these two
different temperatures for different periods
of time.
Fig. 8 Heat treatment at 200°C and Heat
treatment at 500°C
F. Rockwell Hardness Test
After heat treatment all the 10 specimens
were subjected to hardness testing. The
ball of 1.58 mm is used for soft materials
and diamond cone indenter is used for hard
materials. The angle of cone is 120° and
spherical tip has 0.2 mm radius.
Rockwell B number =
Rockwell C Number =
B scale is standardized and is most widely
used. These scales differ by 30 hardness
number. The Rockwell hardness is denoted
by symbol R.H.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Hardness testing
This chapter presents the results from
experimentation and their discussion. The
specimens after heat treatment are
subjected to hardness testing. Two values
of hardness HRB & HRC were calculated.
Total 10 specimens were subjected to
hardness testing (Table 1).
 Journal of Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering
Volume 3 Issue 2

TABLE.1. Value of Hardness (HRB & HRC) with respect to holding temperature, time &
deformation
Deformation
Specimen Temp. Holding Time(min) HRB HRC
(%)
1 room temp 0 - 70 40
2 room temp 40 - 86 56
3 200 40 5 85 55
4 200 40 15 82 52
5 200 40 30 79 49
6 200 40 60 75 45
7 500 40 5 83 53
8 500 40 15 80 50
9 500 40 30 77 47
10 500 40 60 71 41

100
Hardness value (HRB)

80

60

40 86
70
20

0
0% deformation 40 % deformation

Fig. 9 Effect of cold rolling on hardness of metal

90
Rockwell Hardness HRB

85 200°C
80

75

70 200°C

65
5 min 15 min 30 min 60 min
Holding Time
Fig. 10 Variation of Hardness (HRB) with Holding Time of Al-3%Mn for 40% Deformation

As it is clear from the above graph that the B. Effect of holding time
hardness of the metal increases due to cold As expected, it is observed that
rolling. As a result of this increase in recrystalization rate greatly depends upon
hardness, the ductility of the metal the holding time. The recrystalization rate
decreases. increases with increase in holding time as
shown in figures 11, 12 & 13.

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 Journal of Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering
Volume 3 Issue 2

85

Rockwell Hardness HRB

80 500°C
75

70
500°C
65
5 min 15 min 30 min 60 min
Holding Time
Fig. 11 Variation of Hardness (HRB) with Holding Time of Al-3%Mn for 40% Deformation

60
200°C
Rockwell hardness RC (HRC)

55
200°C
50

45

40
5 min 15 min 30 min 60 min
Holding Time
Fig. 12 Variation of Hardness (HRC) with Holding Time of Al-3%Mn for 40% Deformation

55
Rockwell hardness RC (HRC)

500°C 500°C
50

45

40
5 min 15 min 30 min 60 min
Holding Time

Fig. 13 Variation of Hardness (HRC) with Holding Time of Al-3%Mn for 40% Deformation

C. Effect of heat treatment temperature recrystalization rate increases with

As expected, it is observed that increase in heat treatment temperature as
recrystalization rate greatly depends upon shown in figures 14 & 15.
the heat treatment temperature. The

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 Journal of Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering
Volume 3 Issue 2

Fig. 14 Effect of heat treatment temperature on hardness (HRB)

Fig. 15 Effect of heat treatment temperature on hardness (HRC)

D. Results of Microstructure analysis

Microstructure of the specimens is
checked with the help of an optical
microscope. The different microstructures
obtained are shown below:

Fig. 17 Microstructure of Al-3%Mn after

40% Deformation

Fig. 16 Microstructure of Al-3%Mn alloy

after Homogenization

Fig. 18 Microstructure of Alloy after

Annealing at 200°C for 5 Minutes

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 Journal of Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering
Volume 3 Issue 2

Fig. 19 Microstructure of Alloy after Fig. 23 Microstructure of Alloy after

Annealing at 200°C for 15 Minutes Annealing at 500°C for 15 Minutes

Fig. 20 Microstructure of Alloy after Fig. 24 Microstructure of Alloy after

Annealing at 200°C for 30 Minutes Annealing at 500°C for 30 Minutes

Fig. 25. Microstructure of Alloy after

Annealing at 500°C for 60 Minutes

Fig. 21 Microstructure of Alloy after From the study of the microstructure we

Annealing at 200°C for 60 Minutes can say that as the holding time increases
at a given heat treatment temperature more
& more grain boundaries become visible.

CONCLUSIONS
The important conclusions drawn from the
study are as follows:
1. Addition of Mn in Al-6061 results in
improvement in mechanical properties.
Fig. 22 Microstructure of Alloy after In Al-3%Mn alloy the rate of decrease
Annealing at 500°C for 5 Minutes of hardness is slower as compared to
Al-6061.
2. Higher the holding time at a given
recrystalization temperature, larger is
the grain size due to a longer time
available for grain growth.

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 Journal of Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering
3. Addition of Mn in Al-6061 retards the
softening process.
4. The recrystalization rate increases with
increase in temperature.
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