The effect of pulsed electric current on the structural and mechanical behavior of 6016 aluminium alloy in different states of hardening

Abstract

This study presents the effect of high current pulses on the structural and mechanical behavior of the 6016 aluminium alloy in three different states of hardening: naturally aged, super saturated, and annealed. The 6016 aluminium alloy was used for the first time in terms of electrically-assisted forming. The influence of the application of different current parameters on the material behavior was conducted. The study of electrically-assisted tensile tests showed that the application of current pulses results in a distinct response of the material, depending on the hardening state. Although in a hardened state, the mechanical properties and plasticity are deteriorated, in the solution treated state, they are improved. For the changes of the material properties is responsible the interaction of the flowing current with the precipitates and the aging process. The new parameters were proposed to describe the distinctions in the material properties between the different states of hardening of the aluminium alloy during the electrically-assisted tension. The material examination was conducted using light and scanning electron microscopy, using also electron backscattered diffraction methods. The application of, for example, the grain orientation spread parameter demonstrated the presence of recrystallized grains, in electrically-assisted specimens.