Abstract:The effects of strain rate on the mechanical properties, microstructure and texture of Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy were investigated through tensile test, microstructure and texture characterization. The results show that strain rate has some influences on the mechanical properties and microstructure, but a slight influence on the texture. Overall, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation increase first, then remain unchanged, and finally increase with increasing strain rate. Independent of strain rate, microstructure in the vicinities of the fracture regions of all the specimens is composed of the slightly elongated grains. However, some differences in misorientation angle distributions can be observed. As strain rate increases, the low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) increase first, and then decrease. Textures in the vicinities of the fracture regions are almost identical with increasing strain rate.

Key words: Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy; strain rate; mechanical properties; microstructure; texture