Sustainable Lightweight 6063-T1 Aluminium Alloy Processed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing for Low Environmental Impact Applications

Serban, Nicolae; Butu, Mihai; Cojocaru, Vasile Danut

Nicolae Serban, Mihai Butu, Vasile Danut Cojocaru

Sustainable Lightweight 6063-T1 Aluminium Alloy Processed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing for Low Environmental Impact Applications

Abstract:
Nowadays, scientists are making great efforts towards increasing fuel efficiency and for this, aluminium and its alloys are one of the best available options, sustainable aluminium items being able to lower greenhouse gas emissions and save energy expenses in a wide range of structural applications. Equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) is the main severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique for obtaining ultra-fine grained (UFG) and nanostructured materials (NM), the advanced grain refinement obtained by SPD substantially enhancing microstructural and physicomechanical characteristics for the processed material, therefore arising the potential for minimizing the weight and dimensions of the items being produced. In our study, a commercial 6063 Al alloy (T1 condition) was pressed at room temperature for several passes, the ECAP processed and as-cast samples being microstructural investigated and mechanically tested. Ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, strength to fracture and maximum elongation to fracture were determined. The obtained fracture surfaces were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. For the severely deformed 6063 Al alloy, multiple correlations between the key processing parameters and the resulting microstructure and mechanical behaviour were determined. It was shown that SPD/ECAP can be used as an advanced tool in fabricating sustainable lightweight aluminium products for low environmental impact applications.

Keywords:
aluminium alloys; equal-channel angular pressing; environmental impact; ultra-fine grained materials; sustainable materials

Issue: 2016 Volume 53, Issue 4

Pages: 617-622

Publication date: 2016/12/30