Texture and Structure Evolution During Indirect Extrusion of an AlSiMgMn Aluminium Alloy

Abstract

Texture evolution during indirect extrusion of cylindrical profiles of an AlSiMgMn aluminium alloy was investigated in the present work. The effect of extrusion temperature on texture development, through-thickness texture variations and texture variations along the length of the extruded profiles were investigated. In all cases a combined 〈100〉 and 〈111〉 fibre texture developed. Generally, the 〈111〉 fibre was sharper than the 〈100〉 fibre. The texture evolution was rather similar along the length of the profile, while the variations through the thickness were considerable. In a region midways between the centre and the surface of the profiles, the 〈100〉 fibre was weakened, and in the surface regions the two fibres were significantly rotated. The texture measurements showed a strong dependence on extrusion temperature, in the sense that the higher the temperature, the sharper the 〈100〉 fibre texture. The influence of texture variations on formability were also investigated.