Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of shear-spun 5052 aluminum alloy components under feed rate regulation
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Yuanpeng Liu
Yuanpeng Liu, born in 1976. He earned his PhD in Aeronautical and Astronautical Manufacturing Engineering from the Key Laboratory of Modern Design and Integrated Manufacturing Technology (Ministry of Education) at Northwestern Polytechnical University in 2006. Since completing his doctorate, he has focused primarily on teaching and research in the field of precision measurement technology. Currently, he serves as Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.
Wenguang Liu, born in 2001, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics in 2023. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Science and Technology at the same institution.
Guang Zeng, born in 1986, holds a Doctor of Engineering degree from Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. He spent seven years working in the design and research of major equipment at a research and design institute. Currently, he leads the High-Performance Manufacturing Research Team for Aeronautical Fundamental Components at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.
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Chunjiang Zhao
Chunjiang Zhao, born in 1975. He earned his Master’s degree in Vehicle Engineering from Taiyuan University of Science and Technology in 2003, and obtained his PhD in Mechanical Design and Theory from Jilin University in 2009. Currently, he serves as a pH.D. supervisor at the School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology.
Fujun Wu, born in 2000, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Qingdao Agricultural University in 2024. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.
Xuemei Yang, born in 1989, obtained her Doctor of Engineering degree from Northwestern Polytechnical University in 2018. She is currently serving as a lecturer in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.
Longxin Zhu was born in 1999. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Harbin University of Science and Technology in 2021 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Science and Technology at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.
Abstract
Cone-shaped 5,052 aluminum alloy components were fabricated via ambient-temperature shear spinning. This study systematically investigated the effects of varying feed rates on the microstructural evolution and mechanical performance of the spun parts. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis revealed that higher feed rates induced significant grain refinement: average grain size decreased by 37.3 %, from 9.33 μm to 5.85 μm, alongside the formation of a distinct <001>//RD texture. With increasing feed rate, dynamic recrystallization was slightly enhanced, while grain boundary misorientation, dislocation density, and low-angle grain boundary (LAGB) fraction were reduced. These microstructural changes indicate increased activation of crystallographic slip systems and improved plastic deformation capacity. Forming behavior showed the axial wall thickness of spun parts exhibited a V-shape (thicker at ends, thinner in the center), with end regions more susceptible to cracking due to steep strain gradients. Microhardness tests confirmed a significant post-spinning hardness increase, with improvements of 20.9 %, 24.0 %, and 22.8 % at respective feed rates relative to the initial unformed material.
Funding source: Scientific Research Team Plan of Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics
Award Identifier / Grant number: 24ZHTD01003
Funding source: Youth Research Funds Plan of Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics
Award Identifier / Grant number: 25ZHQN01011
Award Identifier / Grant number: 25ZHQN01012
Funding source: Henan Provincial Science and TechnologyTackling Project
Award Identifier / Grant number: 242102230057
Award Identifier / Grant number: 252102240083
Award Identifier / Grant number: 232102230052
Award Identifier / Grant number: 252102321073
Funding source: Henan Provincial Natural Science Foundation Project
Award Identifier / Grant number: 252300420065
Award Identifier / Grant number: 252300420069
Funding source: Henan Provincial Science and TechnologyTackling Project
Award Identifier / Grant number: 232102230052
Award Identifier / Grant number: 252102321073
Funding source: The Key Research Project Program for Higher Education Institutions in Henan Province
Award Identifier / Grant number: 25A590007
Award Identifier / Grant number: 26A460024
About the authors
Yuanpeng Liu, born in 1976. He earned his PhD in Aeronautical and Astronautical Manufacturing Engineering from the Key Laboratory of Modern Design and Integrated Manufacturing Technology (Ministry of Education) at Northwestern Polytechnical University in 2006. Since completing his doctorate, he has focused primarily on teaching and research in the field of precision measurement technology. Currently, he serves as Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.
Wenguang Liu, born in 2001, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics in 2023. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Science and Technology at the same institution.
Guang Zeng, born in 1986, holds a Doctor of Engineering degree from Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. He spent seven years working in the design and research of major equipment at a research and design institute. Currently, he leads the High-Performance Manufacturing Research Team for Aeronautical Fundamental Components at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.
Chunjiang Zhao, born in 1975. He earned his Master’s degree in Vehicle Engineering from Taiyuan University of Science and Technology in 2003, and obtained his PhD in Mechanical Design and Theory from Jilin University in 2009. Currently, he serves as a pH.D. supervisor at the School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology.
Fujun Wu, born in 2000, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Qingdao Agricultural University in 2024. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.
Xuemei Yang, born in 1989, obtained her Doctor of Engineering degree from Northwestern Polytechnical University in 2018. She is currently serving as a lecturer in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.
Longxin Zhu was born in 1999. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Harbin University of Science and Technology in 2021 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Science and Technology at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.
Acknowledgments
We sincerely thank the School for facilitating access to experimental equipment, and extend our special gratitude to our lab mates for their meticulous technical guidance.
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Research ethics: The local Institutional Review Board deemed the study exempt from review.
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Informed consent: This study did not involve human participants or animals. Therefore, informed consent was not required.
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Author contributions: Yuanpeng Liu: Writing – review & editing, Formal analysis. Wenguang Liu: Writing-original draft, Data curation. Guang Zeng: Writing - review & editing, Investigation. Chunjiang Zhao: Supervision, Investigation. Fujun Wu: Data curation, Investigation. Xuemei Yang: Methodology. Longxin Zhu: Data curation.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: Portions of this manuscript have been optimized in terms of grammar, language clarity, and readability with the assistance of an AI language model. The authors have reviewed and edited all suggestions generated by the AI to ensure the accuracy and originality of the content.
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Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: Henan Provincial Natural Science Foundation Project (No.252300420065, 252300420069), Henan Provincial Science and Technology Tackling Project (No.252102240083, 232102230052, 242102230057, 252102321073), The Key Research Project Program for Higher Education Institutions in Henan Province (No.25A590007, 26A460024), Scientific Research Team Plan of Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics (No.24ZHTD01003), Supported by the Youth Research Funds Plan of Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics (No.25ZHQN01011, 25ZHQN01012).
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Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.
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