Mechanical Properties of Al 6063 Processed with Equal Channel Angular Extrusion under Varying Process Parameters

Abstract

Mechanical properties of extruded aluminum are known to significantly depend on the process parameters such as temperature, numbers of extrusion pass and extrusion load among others. This implies that these properties can be influenced by tuning the process parameters. Herein, the effects of these parameters on the tensile strength and hardness of aluminum 6063 series were investigated by using equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE). Experiments were designed using Design Expert software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then used to investigate the main and interactions effects of the process parameters. An empirical mathematical model was generated that shows the relationship between the input and output variables using response surface methodology. Temperature was found to be the most significant factor while extrusion load was the least factor that influenced the hardness and tensile strength which were the output factors. There was a significant increase in tensile strength and hardness after extrusion at different mix of factors. The optimum input variable was discovered at 1020.58 kN, 489.67°C and 3 numbers of extrusion passes.