An aluminum alloy material having macro-scale grains and a method of making and using the same

Abstract

This invention discloses an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grains, its preparation method, and its applications, belonging to the field of aluminum alloy technology. The preparation method of the aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grains provided by this invention includes sequential preheating, hot extrusion, processing deformation, and heat treatment; the preheating temperature is 0.8 to 0.9 times the solidus temperature of the aluminum alloy material; the cross-sectional deformation amount of the processing deformation is 3 to 15%; and the heat treatment temperature is 0.85 to 0.98 times the solidus temperature of the aluminum alloy material. The preparation method provided by this invention can obtain a unique appearance that can be directly recognized by the human eye, resembling iridescent or ice crystal textures; it offers rich surface decoration effects, and the preparation method is simple and exhibits excellent stability. This invention also provides the aluminum alloy material obtained by the above preparation method and its applications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aluminum alloy technology, and in particular to an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grain size, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Aluminum alloys are widely used in consumer electronics, home appliances, building decoration, automotive industry, photographic equipment, and optical instruments due to their lightweight, high specific strength, and good corrosion resistance. As these fields continue to demand higher aesthetic performance from their products, the market's demand for surface decoration effects on aluminum alloy components has shifted from single colors (such as spray painting and anodizing) to patterned effects with unique textures and three-dimensional effects.

[0003] After hot working and heat treatment, traditional aluminum alloy materials typically exhibit three microstructures: First, a fully recrystallized fine-grained structure with an average grain angle of approximately 60-150 micrometers; second, a non-recrystallized fibrous structure with an average grain angle of less than 20-30 micrometers; and third, a mixed-grained structure, where the surface layer contains locally coarse grains (greater than 1000 micrometers), while the core remains fibrous or fine-grained. For the first two structures, due to their extremely small grain size, even after conventional grain-revealing treatments (such as anodizing and chemical etching), it is impossible to directly identify individual grain morphologies with the naked eye; the surface only displays a macroscopically uniform color, lacking textural aesthetics. While the third type, the mixed-grained structure, does contain locally coarse grains, the grain size distribution is extremely uneven, and the coarse-grained areas exhibit a random, irregular distribution, resulting in poor product appearance consistency and making it difficult to meet the stability and controllability requirements of industrial mass production.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, related technologies have attempted to employ multiple processes sequentially, including homogenization, high extrusion ratio (30-100), annealing, deformation treatment (12%-28% deformation), solution treatment, and aging treatment, aiming to obtain a specific microstructure. However, these traditional technologies suffer from the following shortcomings: First, the process flow is complex and lengthy, involving multiple independent heat treatment and deformation processes, with stringent process windows, increasing production costs and time. Second, the parameter superposition effects between processes are complex, placing extremely high demands on equipment and process control, resulting in poor microstructure stability of the final product, difficulty in precisely controlling grain size, and difficulty in ensuring consistent surface decoration effects.

[0005] Therefore, developing an aluminum alloy material that can be stably and controllably prepared with macroscopic grains that exhibit both regularity and minute randomness, and simplifying its process flow, is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a method for preparing aluminum alloy materials with macroscopic grains, which can obtain a unique appearance that can be directly recognized by the human eye, similar to iridescent or ice crystal textures; the surface decoration effect is rich, and the preparation method is simple and has excellent stability.

[0007] The present invention also provides an aluminum alloy material prepared by the above-described preparation method.

[0008] This invention also provides applications of the above-mentioned aluminum alloy materials or preparation methods.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, a method for preparing an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grains is provided, the method comprising preheating, hot extrusion, processing deformation and heat treatment performed sequentially; The preheating temperature is 0.8 to 0.9 times the solidus temperature of the aluminum alloy material; The cross-sectional deformation during processing is 3-15%; The heat treatment temperature is 0.85 to 0.98 times the solidus temperature of the aluminum alloy material.

[0010] The preparation method according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: After aluminum alloys are hot-extruded and then processed and deformed (such as drawn), dislocations are generated inside. These dislocations put the crystal in a high-energy unstable state and store "deformation energy," which becomes the driving force for recrystallization. Through subsequent heat treatment, the atomic activity is greatly increased, and the stored energy begins to be released, resulting in a transformation. Through a certain temperature and time, large grains on a macroscopic scale are obtained.

[0011] Furthermore, by limiting the preheating temperature and the amount of deformation during processing, sufficient recrystallization driving force is ensured, and by limiting the heat treatment temperature, a valve is provided for the release of stored energy. The combination of various parameters results in aluminum alloy materials with a unique appearance similar to iridescent or ice crystal textures. This appearance effect can be used to manufacture components with high requirements for aesthetic performance, such as consumer electronics, building curtain walls, automotive interiors, home appliances and furniture, architectural decorations, photographic equipment, and optical instruments.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the preheating temperature is 0.8 to 0.9 times the solidus temperature of the aluminum alloy material. Specifically, it can be 0.8 times, 0.81 times, 0.82 times, 0.83 times, 0.84 times, 0.85 times, 0.86 times, 0.87 times, 0.88 times, 0.89 times, or 0.9 times; or a range of values ​​consisting of any two of the above points.

[0013] The preheating refers to simply reaching the specified temperature without requiring additional insulation; it merely provides the temperature basis for subsequent hot extrusion and plastic deformation.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the extrusion ratio of the hot extrusion is 20 to 100. Specifically, it can be 20, 22, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 97, or 100; or a range of values ​​consisting of any two of the above points. The extrusion ratio is the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the ingot cylinder to the cross-sectional area of ​​the extruded product.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the preparation method further includes a cutting process between the hot extrusion and processing deformation to obtain a semi-finished aluminum profile of the desired size.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the method of processing deformation includes hot working or cold working.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the processing deformation method is selected from hot working, wherein the hot working temperature is less than or equal to 0.7 times the solidus temperature of the aluminum alloy material. For example, it can be 0.4 times, 0.5 times, 0.6 times, 0.7 times; or a range of values ​​composed of any two of the above points.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the processing deformation method is selected from cold working, wherein the cold working temperature is room temperature. That is, no additional heating treatment is performed.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the method of processing deformation includes one of forging, drawing, rolling or stretching.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the processing deformation method includes one of cold forging, hot forging and cold drawing.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heat treatment temperature is 0.85 to 0.98 times the solidus temperature of the aluminum alloy material. Specifically, it can be 0.85, 0.86, 0.87, 0.88, 0.89, 0.9, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, or 0.98 times; or a range of values ​​consisting of any two of the above points.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heat treatment holding time is 0.5 to 5 hours. For example, it can be 0.5 hours, 1 hour, 2 hours, 2.5 hours, 3 hours, 3.5 hours, 4 hours, 4.5 hours, or 5 hours; or a range of values ​​composed of any two of the above points.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heat treatment further includes cooling after the heat treatment is completed. The cooling includes natural cooling or forced cooling.

[0024] The forced cooling rate is ≥100℃ / min, specifically 200℃ / min, 300℃ / min, 400℃ / min, 500℃ / min; or a range of any two of the above values. In actual production, the forced cooling can be achieved using forced air cooling or water cooling.

[0025] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the preparation method further includes a supplementary heat treatment performed after the heat treatment.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the temperature of the supplementary heat treatment is 100~230℃. For example, it can specifically be 100℃, 110℃, 120℃, 130℃, 140℃, 150℃, 160℃, 170℃, 180℃, 190℃, 200℃, 210℃, 220℃, 230℃; or a range of values ​​composed of any two of the above points.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the holding time for the supplementary heat treatment is 2 to 36 hours. Specifically, it can be 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours, 13 hours, 14 hours, 15 hours, 16 hours, 17 hours, 18 hours, 19 hours, 20 hours, 21 hours, 22 hours, 23 hours, 24 hours, 25 hours, 26 hours, 27 hours, 28 hours, 29 hours, 30 hours, 31 hours, 32 hours, 33 hours, 34 hours, 35 hours, or 36 hours; or a range of values ​​formed by any two of the above points.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the preparation method further includes a cooling treatment after the heat treatment and / or the supplementary heat treatment.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the preparation method further includes surface treatment. This allows the grains in the aluminum alloy material to be visualized.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the surface treatment includes acid etching, alkali etching, anodizing, or chemical etching.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the aluminum alloy material is a 1-series, 2-series, 5-series, 6-series, or 7-series aluminum alloy material.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, an aluminum alloy material prepared by the preparation method described in the first aspect of the present invention is provided, wherein the grain size of the aluminum alloy material is 0.5~15mm.

[0033] Since the aluminum alloy material adopts all the technical solutions of the preparation methods described in the above embodiments, it possesses at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments. Furthermore, Because the aluminum alloy material has a specific grain size, the grain outline can be recognized by the human eye after the grain-revealing surface treatment is performed.

[0034] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the grain size of the aluminum alloy material is 0.3~15mm; more specifically, it can be 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, 7.5mm, 8mm, 8.5mm, 9mm, 9.5mm, 10mm, 10.5mm, 11mm, 11.5mm, 12mm, 12.5mm, 13mm, 13.5mm, 14mm, 14.5mm, 15mm; or a range of values ​​composed of any two of the above points.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, an application is provided in the preparation of aluminum alloy materials as described in the second aspect of the present invention or preparation methods as described in the first aspect of the present invention in the preparation of consumer electronics products, home appliances, building decoration, automotive industry, photographic equipment, optical instruments or automotive decorative parts.

[0036] Since the application adopts all the technical solutions of the aluminum alloy material or its preparation method in the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions in the above embodiments.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the application includes application in decorative appearance components in the corresponding field.

[0038] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0039] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Example 2 of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Example 3 of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 4 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Example 4 of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 5 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Example 5 of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 6 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Example 6 of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 7 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Comparative Example 1 of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 8 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Comparative Example 2 of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 9 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Comparative Example 3 of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 10 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Comparative Example 4 of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 11 This is an appearance diagram of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Comparative Example 5 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The following will describe the concept and technical effects of the present invention clearly and completely with reference to embodiments, so as to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0051] Example 1 This embodiment provides an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grain size and its preparation method. Specifically, the aluminum alloy material is a 6063 aluminum alloy flat strip, and its preparation steps are as follows: S1. Preheating: 6063 aluminum alloy ingots are selected, with the following chemical composition (mass percentage): Si 0.45%, Mg 0.58%, Fe 0.12%, Mn 0.05%, Cr 0.03%, Cu 0.02%, Ti 0.01%, other elements ≤0.05% each, and the balance being Al. The aluminum alloy ingots are preheated to 495℃ (the solidus temperature of this alloy is approximately 615℃, and the preheating temperature is 0.805 times the solidus temperature).

[0052] S2. Hot extrusion: The preheated aluminum alloy ingot is hot extruded into a flat strip with a cross section of 40mm×10mm on an extrusion press, with an extrusion ratio of 25.

[0053] S3. Cutting: Cut the aluminum profile obtained in step S2 into 300mm long samples.

[0054] S4. Processing Deformation: The cut sample is forged at a temperature of 350℃, which increases the width of the flat strip to 48mm and reduces the thickness to 7.98mm. The calculated cross-sectional deformation is 4.2%.

[0055] S5. Heat treatment: Heat the forged profile to 530℃ (0.862 times the solidus temperature), hold for 3 hours, and then cool with strong air at a rate greater than 100℃ / min.

[0056] S6. Supplementary heat treatment: The product after the heat treatment in step S5 is subjected to a low-temperature supplementary heat treatment at a temperature of 205℃ for 2 hours, and then naturally cooled after being removed from the furnace.

[0057] Example 2 This embodiment provides an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grain size and its preparation method. Specifically, the aluminum alloy material is a 6061 aluminum alloy flat strip, and its preparation steps are as follows: S1. Preheating: Use 6061 aluminum alloy ingots with the following chemical composition (mass percentage): Si 0.60%, Mg 0.85%, Fe 0.15%, Mn 0.05%, Cr 0.06%, Cu 0.20%, Ti 0.02%, other elements ≤0.05% each, balance Al. Preheat the ingots to 480℃ (solidspot temperature is approximately 582℃, preheating temperature is 0.825 times the solidus temperature).

[0058] S2. Hot extrusion: The preheated aluminum alloy ingot is hot extruded into flat strips of 40mm×10mm, with an extrusion ratio of 25.

[0059] S3. Cutting: Cut the aluminum profile obtained in step S2 into a sample with a length of 5000mm.

[0060] S4. Processing Deformation: The cut sample is cold-drawn to reduce the width of the flat strip to 37mm and the thickness to 9.85mm. The calculated cross-sectional deformation is 8.9%.

[0061] S5. Heat treatment: Heat the stretched profile to 540℃ (0.928 times the solidus temperature), hold for 1 hour, and then cool with water at a rate greater than 300℃ / min.

[0062] S6. Supplementary heat treatment: The product after the heat treatment in step S5 is subjected to a low-temperature supplementary heat treatment at a temperature of 160℃ for 12 hours, and then allowed to cool naturally after being removed from the furnace.

[0063] Example 3 This embodiment provides an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grain size and its preparation method. Specifically, the aluminum alloy material is a 7-series aluminum alloy round tube, and its preparation steps are as follows: S1. Preheating: 7-series aluminum alloy ingots are selected, with the following chemical composition (mass percentage): Si 0.06%, Zn 5.8%, Mg 1.85%, Fe 0.07%, Mn 0.05%, Cr 0.06%, Cu 0.20%, Ti 0.02%, other elements ≤0.05% each, balance Al. The aluminum alloy ingots are preheated to 490℃ (solidspot temperature approximately 545℃, preheating temperature is 0.899 times the solidus temperature).

[0064] S2. Hot extrusion: The preheated aluminum alloy ingot is hot extruded into a round tube with an outer diameter of 30mm and a wall thickness of 1.5mm, with an extrusion ratio of 90.

[0065] S3. Cutting: Cut the aluminum profile into 6000mm long samples.

[0066] S4. Processing Deformation: The cut sample is pulled to reduce the outer diameter of the tube to 29 mm and the wall thickness to 1.47 mm. The calculated cross-sectional deformation is 5.3%.

[0067] S5. Heat treatment: Heat the drawn profile to 480℃ (0.88 times the solidus temperature), hold for 5 hours, and then let it cool naturally.

[0068] S6. Supplementary heat treatment: The product after the heat treatment in step S5 is subjected to a low-temperature supplementary heat treatment at a temperature of 120°C for 36 hours, and then allowed to cool naturally after being removed from the furnace.

[0069] Example 4 This example provides an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grain size and its preparation method. The specific difference from Example 1 is as follows: In this example, the forging temperature in step S4 is room temperature (approximately 25°C).

[0070] Example 5 This example provides an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grain size and its preparation method. Specifically, the aluminum alloy material is a 5-series aluminum alloy flat bar, and its preparation steps are as follows: S1. Preheating: Select 5-series aluminum alloy ingots with the following chemical composition (mass percentage): Si 0.06%, Zn 0.02%, Mg 2.27%, Fe 0.12%, Mn 0.35%, Cr 0.26%, Cu 0.05%, Ti 0.03%, other elements ≤0.05% each, balance Al. Preheat the aluminum alloy ingots to 500℃ (solidspot temperature is approximately 590℃, preheating temperature is 0.85 times the solidus temperature).

[0071] S2. Hot extrusion: The preheated ingot is hot extruded into flat strips of 40mm×10mm with an extrusion ratio of 90.

[0072] S3. Cutting: Cut the aluminum profile obtained in step S2 into samples with a length of 2000mm.

[0073] S4. Processing Deformation: The cut sample is pulled to reduce the width of the flat strip to 36mm and the thickness to 9.5mm. The calculated cross-sectional deformation is 14.5%.

[0074] S5. Heat treatment: Heat the drawn profile to 535℃ (0.91 times the solidus temperature), hold for 5 hours, and then let it cool naturally.

[0075] S6. Supplementary heat treatment: The product obtained after heat treatment in step S5 is subjected to a low-temperature supplementary heat treatment at a temperature of 228°C for 5 hours, and then allowed to cool naturally after being removed from the furnace.

[0076] Example 6 This example provides an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grain size and its preparation method. The specific difference from Example 5 is as follows: Step S6 is not included in this example.

[0077] Comparative Example 1 This example provides an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grain size and its preparation method. The specific difference from Example 1 is as follows: In step S4 of this example, the deformation amount during machining is 20%.

[0078] Comparative Example 2 This example provides an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grain size and its preparation method. The specific difference from Example 2 is as follows: In step S5 of this example, the heat treatment temperature is 480℃ (0.825 times the solidus temperature, i.e., the same as the preheating temperature), and the temperature is held for 1 hour, followed by water cooling in the same way as in Example 2.

[0079] Comparative Example 3 This example uses the method disclosed in Example 1 of CN 110042332 A to prepare an aluminum alloy material, specifically 6061 aluminum alloy. The steps are: homogenization treatment, high extrusion ratio extrusion, annealing, deformation treatment (deformation amount 20%), solution treatment and aging.

[0080] Comparative Example 4 This example provides an aluminum alloy material and its preparation method, which differs from Example 2 in that: In step S1 of this example, the temperature is preheated to 420°C (the solidus temperature is about 582°C, and the preheating temperature is 0.72 times the solidus temperature).

[0081] Comparative Example 5 This example provides an aluminum alloy material and its preparation method, which differs from Example 2 in that: In step S1 of this example, the temperature is preheated to 540°C (the solidus temperature is approximately 582°C, and the preheating temperature is 0.928 times the solidus temperature).

[0082] Test case This example tested the grain size and apparent properties of the aluminum alloy materials obtained in the examples and comparative examples. The grain size was tested using metallographic analysis, referring to GB / T 3246.1 "Inspection Methods for Microstructure of Wrought Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Products, Part 1: Inspection Methods for Microstructure". The apparent properties were analyzed visually after anodizing treatment. The anodizing treatment steps included degreasing, water washing, alkaline etching, water washing, anodizing, water washing, dyeing, water washing, sealing, and water washing, specifically referring to GB / T 23612. The test results of each example and comparative example are shown in Table 1 and... Figures 1-11 As shown.

[0083] Table 1. Test results of aluminum alloy materials obtained in the examples and comparative examples. project Processing deformation High temperature heat treatment temperature (°C) Average grain intercept (mm) Surface treatment visibility Appearance effects (iridescent, ice crystal texture pattern) Process complexity Example 1 4.2% 530 8~12 Clearly identifiable with the naked eye Larger eclipse, ice crystal texture Simple Example 2 8.9% 540 2~5 Clearly identifiable with the naked eye Medium-sized iridescent, ice crystal texture Simple Example 3 5.3% 480 6~10 Visible to the naked eye, clear Finely broken luminous cup Simple Example 4 4.2% 530 4~7 Clearly identifiable with the naked eye Larger eclipse, ice crystal texture Simple Example 5 14.5% 535 0.35~4 Clearly identifiable with the naked eye Medium-grade iridescent, ice crystal texture Simple Example 6 14.5% 535 0.4~4.1 Clearly identifiable with the naked eye Medium-grade iridescent, ice crystal texture Simple Comparative Example 1 20% 530 0.08~0.2 Indistinguishable to the naked eye No pattern Simple Comparative Example 2 8.9% 480 0.1~0.2 Indistinguishable to the naked eye No pattern Simple Comparative Example 3 20% (deformation treatment) Solution treatment 0.2~0.5 Difficult to distinguish with the naked eye No macro pattern complex Comparative Example 4 8.9% 540 —— Uneven mottled appearance, inconsistent appearance Simple Comparative Example 5 8.9% 540 —— Uneven mottled appearance, inconsistent appearance Simple Table 1 and Figures 1-10The test results show that the grain size of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Example 1 is 8-12 mm. Clear, coarse grain outlines are visible to the naked eye, exhibiting a distinct iridescent and ice crystal texture pattern. The grain size of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Example 2 is 2-5 mm; after anodizing surface treatment, uniform and fine macroscopic grain textures are visible to the naked eye. The grain size of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Example 3 is 6-10 mm; after anodizing surface treatment, clear, large grain outlines are visible to the naked eye, exhibiting a distinct iridescent and ice crystal texture pattern. The grain size of the aluminum alloy material obtained in Example 4 is 4-7 mm; clear, large grain outlines are visible to the naked eye, exhibiting a distinct iridescent and ice crystal texture pattern. The grain size of the aluminum alloy materials obtained in Examples 5 and 6 is 0.35-4 mm, exhibiting fine macroscopic grains; after surface treatment, a similar effect of fine iridescent and ice crystal textures can be obtained. Comparative Example 1: With increased energy storage during large deformation, the resulting aluminum alloy material retains a micron-level fine-grained state (recrystallized structure), with an average grain angle of less than 200 microns. After surface treatment, individual grains are indistinguishable to the naked eye, and the surface exhibits a conventional metallic luster without any macroscopic iridescent pattern effect. Comparative Example 2: Due to an excessively low high-temperature heat treatment temperature, the recrystallization process did not occur sufficiently, or the grains failed to grow, remaining in a micron-level fine-grained state (recrystallized structure) with an average grain angle of less than 200 microns. After surface treatment, individual grains are indistinguishable to the naked eye, and the surface exhibits a conventional metallic luster without any macroscopic iridescent pattern effect. Comparative Example 3: The resulting aluminum alloy material has a grain size of approximately 200-500 microns, with mixed grains in some areas. After surface treatment, a magnifying glass is required to observe the blurred grain outlines, making it impossible to achieve a macroscopic iridescent pattern effect that can be directly recognized by the naked eye. Furthermore, the process flow of Comparative Example 3 is lengthy, with a total time consumption approximately 2-3 times that of the embodiments of this invention, significantly increasing energy consumption and production costs. The aluminum alloy material obtained in Comparative Example 4 exhibits uneven grain size, with coarse grains inside and a recrystallized fine grain structure on the outer layer. After surface treatment, the appearance shows abnormally large grains in some areas, resulting in poor overall consistency and failing to meet the aesthetic consistency requirements for industrial mass production. Similarly, the aluminum alloy material obtained in Comparative Example 5 also exhibits uneven grain size. After surface treatment, the appearance shows abnormally large grains in some areas, resulting in poor overall consistency and failing to meet the aesthetic consistency requirements for industrial mass production.

[0084] In summary, this invention, through a rationally designed preparation process and by controlling the amount of processing deformation, heat treatment temperature, and preheating temperature, achieves macroscopically uniform grains within the range of 0.3~15mm. After surface treatment, these grains exhibit clearly discernible, varied iridescent and ice crystal texture patterns. Furthermore, the patterns exhibit both a regularity along the processing direction and random reflective differences due to varying grain orientations, satisfying the high-end market's pursuit of aesthetic excellence. In addition, the aluminum alloy materials obtained in this invention have uniform overall grain size, avoiding the inconsistent appearance problems caused by traditional mixed-grain structures. Most importantly, the preparation method provided by this invention is stable and repeatable. Compared to the traditional technology represented by Comparative Example 3, it omits annealing and high-extrusion-ratio extrusion steps, resulting in a simpler and lower-cost process. Because the aluminum alloy materials provided by this invention possess numerous apparent advantages, significantly simplify the process flow, and improve process stability and product mass production, the preparation method or the resulting aluminum alloy materials are expected to find wide application in the manufacture of electronic products, architectural decorations, and optical instruments.

[0085] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention and the features thereof can be combined with each other unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. A method for preparing an aluminum alloy material with macroscopic grain size, characterized in that, The preparation method includes preheating, hot extrusion, processing deformation, and heat treatment performed sequentially. The preheating temperature is 0.8 to 0.9 times the solidus temperature of the aluminum alloy material; The cross-sectional deformation during processing is 3-15%; The heat treatment temperature is 0.85 to 0.98 times the solidus temperature of the aluminum alloy material.

2. The preparation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The extrusion ratio of the hot extrusion is 20~100.

3. The preparation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The methods for processing deformation include hot working or cold working.

4. The preparation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing and deformation methods include one of forging, drawing, rolling or stretching.

5. The preparation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat treatment duration is 0.5 to 5 hours.

6. The preparation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preparation method further includes a supplementary heat treatment performed after the heat treatment.

7. The preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The temperature of the supplementary heat treatment is 100~230℃; And / or, the holding time for the supplementary heat treatment is 2 to 36 hours.

8. The preparation method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The preparation method also includes surface treatment.

9. An aluminum alloy material prepared by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The grain size of the aluminum alloy material is 0.3~15mm.

10. The application of an aluminum alloy material as described in claim 9, or the preparation method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, in the preparation of consumer electronics, home appliances, building decoration, automotive industry, photographic equipment, optical instruments, or automotive decorative parts.

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