Electron backscatter diffraction analysis of microstructural evolution in hot-deformed 6xxx series aluminum alloys

Abstract

The electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique is used to analyze the crystallographic grain orientation of deformed microstructures for 6xxx series aluminum alloy extrusions. In a partially extruded billet of aluminum, deformation zones with different crystallographic characteristics can be seen. Using compression testing performed on a Gleeble thermal-mechanical simulator under various conditions, the formation of different deformation zones is simulated. The EBSD technique is used to characterize samples deformed in compression testing to analyze the different deformation zones present in the extrusion process. Metal-flow analysis using EBSD is also applied to study the influence of different die designs on the surface texture of an extrudate. Microstructures from a profile that was formed with different die designs are examined. Analysis of a longitudinal weld present in typical hollow profiles is performed to determine the effect of metal-flow conditions on the resultant texture in the extrudate. The texture (or microtexture) measured from individual grains can be correlated to the orientation changes that occur during deformation.