The effects of rolling parameters on the mechanical behavior of 6061 aluminum alloy

The present work has been conducted to study the effect of rolling parameters (strain rate and temperature) on the microstructural evolutions and mechanical properties of 6061 aluminum alloy. The results indicate that the predominant restoration process during rolling at 250 degrees C is dynamic recovery, and the driving force is not high enough to trigger dynamic recrystallization. However, primary recrystallized grains were clearly evident in the microstructure of the specimen rolled at 350 degrees C. Moreover, at 450 degrees C not only the volume fraction of dynamically recrystallized grains is increased but the formation of some new precipitates is recognized. The tensile test results show that the room temperature strength and ductility are increased by increasing the rolling temperature in the range of 250-450 degrees C. Moreover, at a given rolling temperature the yield strength is decreased with increasing strain rate. The observed trends are explained through microstructural evolutions upon hot rolling as well as dynamic precipitation of Mg2Si and the Fe or Cu rich particles. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.