Medium strength formable aluminium alloys: an exercise in alloy design

Abstract

The origins of the strength, work hardening, ductility and formability of aluminium alloys are discussed in the context of the development of ideal microstructures for medium strength alloys with good formability. An alloy design is developed from a knowledge of the structure and properties of aluminium using experimental measurements on a number of commercial alloys and a general background of deformation behaviour. The results are applied to a modification of the composition and structure of an existing alloy to produce significant increases in formability with retention of end-use properties.