Study of Processing Map and Effect of Hot Rolling on Mechanical Properties of Aluminum 5083 Alloy

Hot deformation behavior of aluminum 5083 alloy was studied based on the compression test done up to true strain 0.5 in the temperature range of 473–773 K and strain rate range of 0.01–10 s−1. The Arrhenius equations were used to evaluate the average activation energy for deformation. Processing map was developed to identify the optimum, safe and unsafe zones for processing based on the compression data. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and scanning electron microscopy images revealed the underlying micro-mechanisms at various deformation conditions. Varying fraction of dynamic recrystallization was found to coexist with dynamic recovery at high deformation temperature and different strain rates. Based on the safe deformation zone, hot rolling was attempted and up to 80% reduction of initial thickness was achieved. EBSD analysis showed that the percentage of dynamically recrystallized grains increased with increment in rolling reduction. Progressive and substantial increment in yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, ductility and bulk hardness was achieved with increment in rolling reductions.