Delineating the Role of Second Phase Particles in AA6111

The application of 6000 series alloys is widespread and of particular importance to the automotive sector. Their functionality depends on the detailed behaviour of the strengthening phases. In this study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) supplemented with a variety of mechanical tests were used to examine the precipitates and their role in aspects such as the Bauschinger effect, damage and fracture events, and in recovery and recrystallization processes.