Controlling the plastic anisotropy in asymmetrically rolled aluminium sheets

Abstract

The formability of metals depends on the crystallographic texture produced during thermo-mechanical processing. The crystallographic orientation of the deformed grains results from the applied deformation path. Asymmetric rolling is a new process that is expected to improve the formability of rolled aluminium sheets by introducing an intense shear deformation and an associated shear texture. Asymmetric rolling was applied to aluminium alloy AA6016 with roll diameters ratio of 1.5. Both full constraints and grain interaction models are employed to investigate the evolution of texture during conventional and asymmetric rolling processes. The superior planar and normal anisotropy values of asymmetrically rolled and annealed sheet over the conventionally produced one are interpreted in terms of differences in the deformed microstructures and the ensuing rolling and recrystallization textures.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by M2i project (MC4.05231) in the framework of the Strategic Research program of the Materials Innovation Institute in The Netherlands. A special thanks to Prof. W.B. Hutchinson for valuable comments and discussions.