Abstract

Commercially pure aluminum was deformed via the extrusion process at different strain rates considering the temperature rising during the deformation, i.e., with different Zener–Hollomon parameters (Z), to investigate the effect of Z on its grain structure and tensile properties in the micro/meso-scale. The results demonstrate that deformation-induced grain refinement was obtained by increasing the values of the Z. Besides, the dislocation density of the aluminum specimens increased with the strain rate which is in conformity with the Orowan equation. An apparent increment in yield and tensile strength was observed in the deformed aluminum with increasing the value of Z parameter. This can be attributed to two strengthening mechanisms, i.e., by combining the Hall–Petch relation (strain hardening due to the grain refining) and Taylor equation (owing to dislocation–dislocation interactions).