Modeling of microstructure evolution in aluminum alloys during hot rolling using an internal state variable approach integrated into an FE model

摘要

To compete effectively in the emerging global market, manufacturers need to have a thorough understanding of their processes and the effect process parameters have on product final quality. Towards this goal, modelling microstructure using a fundamentally based physical model to predict microstructure evolution is highly desirable. In this research, an internal state variable microstructure model, which predicts the evolution in stored energy during the deformation as well as the development of the microstructure after the deformation is complete has been incorporated into an FE simulation of a single stand hot rolling operation for an AA5083 aluminum alloy. The model predictions of recrystallization kinetics using this approach were then compared to detailed experimental measurements conducted using the CORUS single stand pilot scale rolling facility in Ijmuiden, Netherlands under a variety of hot rolling conditions for an AA5083 aluminum alloy. The model appeared able to predict the recrystallized fraction reasonably well under a variety of deformation conditions and a sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the influence of changing the material constants in the microstructure model on the predicted fraction recrystallized.