The Role of Corrugation Die Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Alloy (AA 5083) Processed by Repetitive Corrugation and Straightening

Abstract

The microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminium alloy (AA 5083) processed through Repetitive Corrugation and Straightening (RCS) was studied. The RCS process consists of corrugating a flat specimen with a pair of systematically grooved dies and straightening was done with two parallel flat dies. The aluminium samples were subjected to RCS process using two different die: Die I-semi grooved die with breath = height = 5 mm and θ = 30 。 and Die II-semicircular profile with radius = 10 mm. The specimens were subjected to maximum 8 passes for die I but the other one went upto 14 pass. The grain refinement was studied from the microstructure examination using TEM. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness and the grain size were compared. The tensile strength and hardness were found increasing with respect to the number of passes. The tensile strength increased 25% in the sixth pass when compared to the parent material. But the strength and hardness values were reduced at 8th pass due to the surface cracks. The TEM studies showed that the Die-I is superior to Die-II in terms of grain refinement.