A Study on Grain Refinement of Aluminum Alloys by Adding Grain Refiners and Severe Plastic Deformation: A Review

Abstract

In the past few decades Aluminium alloys have been extensively used in most of the structural applications, where there is a need to reduce weight and substantially providing structural strength and stability to the assembly. Aluminium alloys or Titanium alloys are the best possible options for the design engineers to select over alloy steel for structural applications when mass reduction is an important factor, However Aluminium alloys wins the race over Titanium alloys when cost is an important criteria for selection of materials. Aluminium alloys are chosen as an alternative next to titanium alloys when it comes to high strength to weight ratio. Titanium alloys particularly Ti6Al4V is selected for applications where the component is loaded with high temperature. Therefore engineers have to evaluate the loading conditions and its environment based on the properties of alloys for selection of Aluminium alloys over other alloys for structural applications. Material selection for the structural applications in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, Industrial and construction sector are based on its function, which depends on the factors like the loading conditions, environment, and functional requirements. The main strength requirements for structural applications are its mechanical properties namely Tensile strength either compressive or tensile load, The present review is to study and understand the characteristics of Aluminium alloys and ways to enhance the mechanical properties of Aluminium alloys.