Effect of texture variation through sheet thickness on bendability in aluminum alloy sheet

Abstract

The effect of texture variation through thickness on bendability of aluminum alloy sheets is studied, using bending tests and numerical simulations. In the experimental investigation, clad sheets were produced by bonding two aluminum sheets in which volume fractions of the cube texture were different. In the bending tests, the specimens were produced such that the volume fraction of the cube texture was higher in an outer surface layer of the sheet than in the inner portion. It was found that the bendability increased with a ratio of thickness of the surface layer that contains a higher volume fraction of the cube texture. The effect of texture variation through the thickness on bendability is clarified by using a crystal plasticity finite element analysis. It is revealed that the bendability is significantly improved even with a rather small volume fraction of the cube texture in the outer surface layer. On the contrary, it drastically declines if a random texture develops in the surface layer.