Effect of second phase particles on grain refinement during equal-channel angular pressing of an Al–Mg–Mn alloy

The process of grain refinement under severe plastic deformation was examined in an Al–5.4% Mg–0.5% Mn–0.1% Zr alloy, which was subjected to equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) in the strain interval from 1 to 12 at a temperature of ~300 °C. It was shown that the size and distribution of the second phase particles precipitated under homogenization annealing strongly affect grain refinement