Effects of strain rate and anisotropy on the tensile deformation properties of extruded AlZnMg alloys

Abstract

Two extruded AlZnMg alloys have been investigated in uniaxial tension, emphasizing the mechanical anisotropy and strain-rate effects. A strong mechanical anisotropy was found in the extruded profiles which had recrystallized and nonrecrystallized microstructures. The recrystallized alloy had a lower strength level and less variation in ductility and formability parameters than the nonrecrystallized alloy. Mg in solid solution causes dynamic strain aging (DSA) in both alloys. With increasing strain rate, the DSA became less effective and the strain localization caused by DSA vanished. Thus, the room-temperature formability, in the solution heat-treated and quenched condition, may be improved significantly by a sufficient increase of the strain rate. Additional tests on an as-cast sheet-ingot AlMg alloy were performed to isolate the effect of Mg from Zn in solid solution. These tests confirmed the effect of strain rate on the tensile behavior.