Effect of Solubilisation on the High-temperature Formability of AA6016 Sheets

The paper investigates the formability beh viour and post-forming characteristics of AA6016 sheets in a range of temperatures and strain rates typical of hot stamping. Since the as-delivered condition of the blanks was the T4 treatment, the blanks were subjected to two different thermal cycles before testing: one implying the material solubilisation and subsequent cooling and deformation at the testing temperature, and the other with ut any solubilisation. The influence of the s lubilisation on the material flow stress, true strain at fracture, and post-forming mechanical and surface characteristics is highlighted. The optimal combination of process parameters assuring the best formability and surface characteristics is identified, validating the results through hot carried out on a real component.