Synergistic effects of the TiC nanoparticles and cold rolling on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Cu strips fabricated by twin-roll casting

The present work investigated the synergistic effects of the TiC nanoparticles (NPs) and cold rolling on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Cu strips fabricated by twin-roll casting (TRC). The trace addition of NPs effectively promoted the columnar-to-equiaxed transition along with a refined grain structure, and the macrosegregation of the as-cast TRC strip was well mitigated. The introduction of the cold rolling further refined the grains and accelerated the dissolution of the coarse second phases after subsequent solution treatment, and combined with the effect of NPs, the precipitation kinetics was greatly promoted during the aging treatment. The precipitates were well refined and the distribution was more uniform. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and uniform elongation of the TRC strips with the TiC addition and cold rolling were simultaneously improved after T6 heat treatment. This work aims to provide a strategy for producing high-strength alloy strips with the high-formability by the TRC process.