Effect of cold-rolling reduction and isothermal annealing temperature on the recrystallization kinetics of 3005 aluminum alloy sheets

The effects of cold-rolling reduction (43%, 66%, 87%) and annealing temperature (180 °C-350 °C) on the recrystallization kinetics of 3005 aluminum alloy sheets were investigated through hardness tests and microstructure analyses using EBSD and SEM. The results indicate that cold-rolling elongates the grains along the rolling direction, forming a fibrous structure, which significantly enhances the hardness of the sheets. The recrystallization fraction increases with rising annealing temperature, gradually forming fine, equiaxed recrystallized grains, and recrystallization is nearly completed at 320 °C. As the annealing temperature increases, the hardness of the cold-rolled sheets gradually decreases. Additionally, a greater cold-rolling reduction results in a higher recrystallization fraction at the same annealing temperature. However, the pinning effect of precipitates significantly influences the recrystallization process during high-temperature annealing, leading to the fastest recrystallization rate in samples with a 66% deformation rate during high-temperature annealing.