Influence of second phase precipitates on the microstructure and mechanical properties of WE43-0.5Ca alloy during hot deformation process

The WE43-0.5Ca alloy was processed by the combination of extrusion, ageing treatment and rolling in the present study. The results showed that the strength of the alloy is better at an extrusion temperature of 470 °C. The alloy was then subjected to ageing treatment. The alloy aged for 14 h had the highest strength. However, there was still a high amount of the second phase enriched at the shear bands. The as-extruded state alloy was rolled. The strength of the alloy in the rolled state was significantly increased. Broken into fine second-phase particles during rolling, these second-phase particles are diffusely distributed in the matrix, resulting in second-phase strengthening that enhances the strength of the alloy.