On the estimation of true Hall–petch constants and their role on the superposition law exponent in Al alloys

Abstract

Hall–petch (HP) relation and the superposition of different strengthening mechanisms in different aluminum alloys with grain sizes in the range of 50 nm–70 μm were analyzed. HP parameters as high as σ₀ ≈ 200 MPa and k_HP ≈ 0.14 MPa m^1/2 were observed when the HP relation was fitted directly using the experimentally measured yield strength values. In contrast, considering only the grain size strengthening (by subtracting other strengthening contributions), HP constants of σ₀ ≈ 10 MPa and k_HP ≈ 0.06 MPa m^1/2 were obtained over wide range of grain sizes for the case of a linear superposition of the various strengthening mechanisms present. This is in excellent accord with the values obtained for pure Al justifying the chosen superposition exponent of n equal unity for the different alloys investigated.