Investigation on the evolution of the microstructure during homogenization in thin Al sheets

Excellent surface quality, low-porosity, good mechanical properties represent the most important characteristics for thin Al sheets, being it largely used in a large number of different applications. Since the aforementioned characteristics strongly depend on the structure of the material, the present paper aims to discuss the results on the investigation on the effect of homogenization treatment on the microstructure of AA 8006 alloy sheets. Some thin sheets in AA 8006 alloy have been prepared by continuous casting (CC) process with some economical and metallurgical advantages over a traditionally manufactured direct chill (DC) product. Due to the rapid solidification of the metal, the microstructure develops into a strongly supersaturated aluminium solid solution and into an increased part of fine units made up mostly of intermetallic phases. All these factors have a dangerous effect on the materials formability and on the mechanical behaviour of the final product. The microstructure and the strengthening behaviour can be modified in different ways.