Synchrotron X-ray analysis of microstructure and microdeformation in a recast AA6063 aluminium alloy

Abstract

Aluminium alloy AA6063 has been processed by re-casting to produce polycrystalline ingots containing large grains. The microstructure and deformation behaviour of this material was studied by different techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, synchrotron X-ray micro-tomography, and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The relationship between the dislocation cell-wall structure and reciprocal space maps obtained by diffraction was explored with the help of a dislocation model. The combination of different methods provides improved insight into the relationship between microstructure and deformation.