Hot plane strain compression testing of aluminum alloys by channel-die compression

A thoroughly tested, high-temperature channel-die compression (CDC) rig is described for simulating hot plane strain compression of metallic alloys up to 500 °C. The equipment is currently used to characterize the flow stress and microstructure evolution in hot-rolled Al alloys. It has been validated by several tests involving (1) metallographic analysis of deformed samples; (2) flow stress comparisons with the same, or similar alloys deformed in conventional uniaxial or plane strain compression; and (3) microstructure and texture measurements. The use of modern lubricants enables one to obtain accurate flow stresses and true plane strain deformations that are homogeneous over 80 pct of the sample. The equipment also features rapid heating and cooling systems to minimize thermally-induced microstructure changes. Some results on high-temperature slip systems, hot deformation textures, and microstructures, and the behavior of constituent particles are outlined to illustrate the advantages of the technique.