Experimental Investigation of the Formability Limit Curve (FLC) for AA-2014 Alloy

Abstract

AA2014-T4 aluminium alloys are extensively utilized in the defense and aerospace sectors due to their low density, high strength, limited ductility, reduced workability, and excellent corrosion resistance. For materials with low toughness, increasing ductility is crucial, as defects occurring during plastic deformation can limit the forming range and reduce productivity. To enhance the formability of AA2014-T4 sheets, various homogenization conditions were applied, including treatments at 440°C and 500°C for 4 and 12 hours, using both water quenching and furnace cooling methods. The influence of homogenization temperature and time on formability was thoroughly investigated. Under these conditions, several tests were conducted, including the determination of the Forming Limit Curve (FLC), tensile strength measurements, and Limiting Dome Height (LDH) tests to assess formability behaviour. Additionally, the micro-hardness of the AA2014-T4 alloy was evaluated. The experimental data were subsequently used to generate the Forming Limit Curve (FLC). It was observed that the highest level of ductility was achieved when the sheet was homogenized at 440°C for 12 hours, followed by furnace cooling