Design of Aluminium Based Alloy (Al6063) Ultra-Fine Grained Strips Using Hybrid LSEM Process

Abstract

The present study focuses on formation of ultra-fine grained strips of controlled dimensions from Aluminium based alloy (Al6063) by Hybrid Extrusion–Machining process. This process has emerged as an alternate process for producing sheets, foils and plates from different variety of light weight alloys with properties superior to that of their counter-part. Hardness analysis of bulk and fabricated strips were conducted at both micro and nano level. The deformation analysis of the strips was done using X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Microstructural analysis was done by Electron back-scatter diffraction. Effect of different machining conditions on the surface roughness has also been studied. The result illustrates a significant increase in the hardness of the fabricated strips as consequence of reduced grain size. Influence of strain hardening on fabricability of strips has also been studied. Mechanical properties of fabricated strips and bulk Al6063 alloy at nano level were somewhat different from that of micro level.