Effects of thermomechanical processing on microstructure and hardness profiles in AA6061 plates

Effects of rolling variables - strain (?), strain rate (?) and temperature (T) - on grain structure and hardness evolution in AA6061 plates were investigated by simulating the rolling process using plane strain compression (PSG). Particular emphasis was exerted on understanding the impact of the variables on the overall mean grain size and hardness, as well as how they influence the grain size and hardness profiles through the thickness of the rolled plates. Prior to PSG investigations, the grain size and hardness profiles of the supplied material (transfer and finished plates) were determined using a Reichert MeF3A optical microscope and Vickers hardness tester. No significant grain size variations were observed through the thickness of transfer plate. On the contrary, finished plates exhibited grain size gradients, with grain size progressively decreasing from the surface to the centre of the plate thickness.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Hapazari, Innocent

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Knutsen, Robert D

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10615

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10615