Effect of Extrusion Ratio on Mechanical Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of 7003 Aluminum Alloy at High-Speed Impact

Abstract

The extrusion ratio (ER) is one of the most important factors affecting the service performance of aluminum profiles. In this study, the influence of ER on the mechanical behavior and microstructure evolution of 7003 aluminum alloy at high-speed impact with strain rates ranging from 700 s−1 to 1100 s−1 was investigated. The studied alloy with an ER of 56 formed coarse grain rings during the heat treatment. The microstructure of the alloys with ERs of 20 and 9 is relatively uniform. The results indicate that under high-speed impact, the mechanical response behavior of the 7003-T6 alloy with different ERs is different. For the alloy with an ER of 56, strain hardening is the main mechanism of plastic deformation. In contrast, a flow stress reduction occurs at middle deformation stage for the ones with ERs of 20 and 9 due to concentrated deformation, which is more significant in the alloy with an ER of 20. Under high-speed impact, the alloy with an ER of 56 undergoes uneven plastic deformation due to the presence of coarse grain rings. The deformation is mainly borne by the region of coarse grains near the edge, and the closer to the center, the smaller the deformation. The deformation of the alloys with ERs of 20 and 9 is relatively uniform, but exhibits localized concentrated deformation in the area near the edge. The significant plastic deformation within deformation band causes a local temperature rise, resulting in a slight decrease in flow stress after the peak. These results can provide reliable data support for the application of 7003 aluminum alloy in the vehicle body crash energy absorption structure.