Micro and macro analyse of aluminium AA6016 alloy produced by twin roll casting process

Automotive sector is in tendency of employing aluminum alloys for inner and outer panelapplications along with cast pieces that have found extensive applications for a long time.Major driving forces motivating this attempt are concentrating around environmentalregulations, fuel efficiency and safety issues. But cost of aluminum stands in front of manyapplications banning them to be used extensively. Most of the outer and inner panelapplications require 6000 series aluminum alloys due to their satisfactory performancematching with the compliance of the auto manufacturers. Continuous casting technologyoffers cost effective solutions for the production of 6000 series alloys. Solidificationmechanisms operating in continuos casting technology is known to be in efficient and proneto develop microstructural defects. Contrary to the general speculations and previous studies,AA6016 alloy has been satisfactorily produced in industrial scale by employing twin rollcontinues casting technology.Introduction of unique microstructural features due to very high soldification rate of twin rollcasting technology significantly contribute to the mechanical properties. In the present study,micro and macrostructural features of twin roll cast AA6016, majorly employed for deepdrawing and formaing operations of automotive industry, were investigated at their T4 andT62 tempers. Microstructural characteristics were correllated with the mechanicalperformance. Evaluation of mechanical performance were enriched by determining limitingstrains under biaxial deformation condition by constructing its FLD (Forming LimitDiagram).Keywords: Aluminiun alloy AA6016, twin roll casting, DC casting.ix