Correlation between Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 6063-O Aluminum Alloy and IS 2062 Mild Steel under High Strain Rate Shear Loadings

Abstract

An experimental study for the characterization of 6063-O aluminum alloy and IS 2062 mild steel materials under high strain rate shear loading was conducted. A microstructural study of the tested samples was performed to understand the correlation between the microstructure and mechanical properties. Aluminum alloy 6063-O and IS 2062 mild steel specimens were subjected to shear strain rates in the range of 120-200 and 100-280 s−1, respectively. An enhancement in the shear strength is observed for both the materials tested at high strain rates. The microstructural study on the fracture surfaces of the aluminum alloy and the mild steel test coupons was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Grain size refinement was observed with increasing strain rate indicating a strong dependence of mechanical properties on the grain size evolution during testing. Changes in microstructural properties at different shear strain rates and its effect on the mechanical properties are presented.