MULTI-FIELD FE MODELING OF RESISTIVE HEATING IN A 6061-T6511 ALUMINUM SPECIMEN

摘要

Electric current's effect on material mechanical properties has been of interest since it can lessen the mechanical energy associated with deforming/working a material. The objective of this work is to have a representative model of the thermal/structural effects of electricity on a tensile specimen so that the simple effect of temperature can be separated from any mechanical material property changes due to the electric current. The finite element models in this study were generated and their results were compared to experimental data obtained from a representative tensile test. Comparison with the experimental results on material engineering stress-strain curves and transient temperature profiles offers assurance for the further use of FEA as a significant tool in understanding the electrical effects on material properties. A multi-field large deformation finite element model for a cylindrical tensile bar of 6061-T6511 aluminum is developed to evaluate the distribution of temperature within the specimen. The model also evaluates the stress-strain characteristics of the material while the specimen is carrying a large DC current and being deformed. The simulation results are compared to surface infrared temperature measurements in order to verify the FE model first and then to attain more qualitative and possibly quantitative insight into the effects of electric field.