Anisotropic thermomechanical behavior of AA6082 aluminum alloy Al-Mg-Si-Mn

Hot rolled aluminum alloy 6082 was subjected to tensile tests and coefficient of thermal expansion measurements. These tests were realized in order to investigate the effect of direction on its anisotropic behavior. Specimens for both tests were cut in three directions (long transverse, longitudinal rolling and short transverse) with respect to rolling direction. Results showed that the longitudinal rolling and long transverse directions had limited effect on thermomechanical properties as compared to the short transverse direction. It was found that the short transverse direction exhibited higher values of stress hardening capacity and thermal expansion coefficient, lower ductility and dilatation, than the longitudinal rolling and long transverse directions. Thermomechanical anisotropy was attributed to the microstructure and precipitation behavior. It was assessed by means of tensile tests, coefficient of thermal expansion measurements, optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry techniques.