Microstructural Optimization of a High Mechanical Properties Aluminum Alloy By Using CobaPress Process

CobaPress™ process is a hybrid process of casting and forging leading to the manufacturing of high integrity/critical safety components and sub-assemblies for the automotive industry. Throughout this process, the main objective consists of the elaboration of an aluminum alloy with yield strength of 300 MPa and at least 8% of elongation. The use of Thermocalc© simulations allowed us to set up with annealing temperatures and chemical composition. Channel die experiments have been carried out to study sub-structure evolution for a fixed temperature and different strain rates. Observations on EBSD have been made in order to characterize recovery and/or recrystallization. Apart from the fact that sub-structuration improves yield strength and ultimate tensile strength, fatigue life is much greater than AS7G03 usually used through the CobaPress™ process.