Influence of Feedrate on Microstructure and Hardness of Conventionally Spin-Formed 6061-O Plate

The influence of feedrateFeedrate on the properties and microstructureMicrostructure of spin-formed aluminum alloyAluminum alloys 6061 is explored utilizing microhardnessMicrohardness mapping and microtextural analysis via electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The varying hardnessHardness profiles and microtexture are compared not only between samples spin-formed at various feedratesFeedrate, but through the thickness of the samples to understand microstructural gradients that could lead to mechanicalMechanical anisotropy and changes in formabilityFormability. The resulting hardnessHardness data show a clear gradient from the outer mold line to the inner mold line that varies with feedrateFeedrate and can relate to the imparted strain in the material. The microtextural mapping indicates a slight influence from feedrateFeedrate, but shows trends through the thickness of the material that suggests varying locationally dependent stress states. The results show for the first time the influences of spin formingSpin Forming on hardnessHardness and textureTexture that could be utilized to optimize spin formingSpin Forming processingProcessing parameters and mechanicalMechanical performance.