Fatigue behaviour of commercially pure aluminium processed by rotary swaging

Fatigue strength of ultrafine-grained commercially pure aluminium (Al 1050) produced by severe plastic deformation (rotary swaging) was investigated. Fatigue tests were carried out on smooth and notched specimens. Results show improved static and fatigue strength of the rotary swaging processed material. However, the processed material was highly notch sensitive due to low work hardening capability, low ductility as well as low uniform strain. It was found that post-deformation annealing above recrystallization temperature can additionally enhance the work hardening capability and the ductility of the swaged material, which led to marked reduction in fatigue notch sensitivity. At the same time, this reduction is accompanied with pronounced loss in strength. Fatigue notch sensitivity of commercially pure aluminium can be good correlated to the work hardening capability and ductility. This behaviour was discussed in details based on microstructure and mechanical properties study.