Large strain deformation of Al-Cu solid solutions using channel-die compression

The mechanical properties of pure aluminum, Al-0.2wt%Cu and Al-0.4wt%Cu at large strains were studied using channel-die compression at three different temperatures: 77K, 200K and 295K. The evolution of the structure was studied by various techniques including slip lines studies, global texture measurements, Back-Scattered Electron Kikuchi Patterns and TEM. Intense shear banding was observed at large strains and is related to the texture evolution. The mechanical behaviour was interpreted in terms of work hardening rate vs. stress plots (or θ/τ plots). Increasing the temperature leads to a decrease of the initial slope of the θ/τ plot as well as an increase in its concavity. At large strains all materials exhibited a stage of constant work hardening at low rate, or stage IV. The addition of solute was shown to result in an increase of the work hardening rate, which could be represented by a translation of the θ/τ plot on the stress axis.