Effects of grain refinement and boron treatment on electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of AA1070 aluminum. (5th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cui, Xiaoli; Wu, Yuying; Liu, Xiangfa; Zhao, Qingru; Zhang, Guojun
• Is Part Of: Materials & design. Volume 86(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 397
• Page End: 403
• Publication Date: 2015-12-05
• Subjects: AA1070 aluminum -- Grain refinement -- Boron treatment -- Electrical conductivity -- Mechanical properties; Materials -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Conception technique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2015.06.149
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-1275

Abstract

Abstract: Aluminum has been used as an alternative to copper for the production of electrical grade conductors. However, good electrical conductivity with excellent mechanical properties is hard to realize. Grain refinement can improve plastic deformation and mechanical properties. Boron treatment is advantageous to the improvement of electrical conductivity. So it is promising to achieve good mechanical properties and electrical conductivity by the interaction of grain refinement and boron treatment. In our work, the effect of grain refinement and boron treatment on electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of AA1070 aluminum was studied. The ideal grain refiner is Al–5Ti–0.8B–0.2C master alloy and with 0.2% addition, the electrical conductivity keeps at 60.7% IACS. Besides, the effect of different boron additions on electrical conductivity of AA1070 aluminum was studied. With 1%Al–6B addition, its electrical conductivity can reach 64% IACS, improved by 5.3%. With 0.2%Al–6B and 0.5%Al–5Ti–0.8B–0.2C additions, the electrical conductivity can reach 63.2% IACS, ultimate tensile strength at room temperature (UTS25 °C ) is 85 MPa, and elongation (Ɛ) is 58%. Compared with AA1070 aluminum without addition, the ultimate tensile strength and elongation have been improved by 26.9% and 9.4% separately. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Al–5Ti–0.8B–0.2C is the ideal grain refiner for AA1070 aluminum. 0.2% Al–5Ti–0.8B–0.2C refines AA1070 well with relative good electrical conductivity. There is mutual influence between boron treatment and grain-refinement treatment. High tensile strength and electrical conductivity can be realized simultaneously.