The Use of UFG Metals Obtained in SPD Processes in the Sheet Metal Microforming

Abstract

The paper presents the process of preparing UFG metal in the form of 0.2 mm thick foil made of 6060 aluminium alloy, intended for micro-forming operations. The material was obtained in a hybrid SPD process involving ECAP (Equal Channel Angular Pressing), multi-upsetting and rolling. In addition, a selected batch of material was subjected to supersaturation before ECAP. A method for determining formability in the conditions of the sheet metal forming process was proposed, including micro-drawing with the preceding preform preparation process in the micro-blanking process. Noticeable differences were found for different series of the prepared material after the upsetting process, however, the effect of supersaturation before the ECAP process on the formability in the conditions of the sheet metal microforming process was not observed.