Modelling the Recrystallization Behaviour during Industrial Processing of Aluminium Alloys

Abstract

The microstructure evolution in commercial AlMgSi alloys during and after extrusion of a simple U-shaped profile has been modelled. The strain, strain rate and temperature along a set of particle paths are taken from FE-HyperXtrude simulations and used as input to the work hardening model ALFLOW, to predict the evolution of the subgrain size and dislocation density during deformation. As soon as the profile leaves the die, the subsequent recovery and recrystallization behaviour is modelled with the softening model ALSOFT. This procedure enables the modelling of recrystallization profiles, i.e. the fraction recrystallized through the wall thickness of the extruded profile. The sensitivity to chemistry (alloy composition), profile deflection and the cooling rate at the die exit has been investigated by means of a set of generic modelling cases.