Combined influence of size effect and temperature in microscale deformation of 6063 aluminum gear

Abstract

Microgears are the crucial parts in the manufacturing of complex microdevices for motion control requiring ultra-light weight, tiny and compact, operational characteristics and dimensional accuracy. During the microforming of gears, the material behavior and grain size effect influence on the formability, yield strength, microhardness and surface roughness of the microgear. In this work, the combined effect of grain size and temperature on flow stress and microstructure of the microgear is investigated during the microplastic deformation of 6063 aluminum alloy. The material with three different grain sizes of aluminum 6063 alloy is considered for its good formability and its strength. The results show the grain size, orientation and boundary have a significant effect on the microplastic deformation process. Microhardness values at the middle and at tooth are controversy and exhibit the inhomogeneous deformation due to the occurrences of the size effect. The grain size dependence on temperature is determined with their difference in microstructure and mechanical properties. This research outcomes thus contribute the basic considerate about the hot microextrusion of aluminum 6063 alloy and enable the development of microgears.