Development of localized deformation in AA 2024-0

An experimental study is presented to (1) quantify the rate-sensitive mechanical response and (2) examine the localized deformation behavior under an applied temperature gradient in the alloy AA 2024. Isothermal flow stresses are obtained at temperatures from-100°C to 495°C and strain rates from 10^-2/s to 10^-5/s using routine compression tests and a novel cyclic test, which expedites the characterization. The material displays two distinct kinetic responses with both being amenable to localization phenomena. The lower temperature/high strain rate regime displays a rate-insensitive yield with Stage III/IV work hardening. At higher temperature/low strain rates, a rate-sensitive response with little work hardening is observed. In order to relate the material constitutive behavior to the development of localized deformation, a temperature gradient test is performed wherein temperature differences of approximately 30°C are enforced between the top and bottom surfaces of a cylindrical compression test specimen. Deformation heterogeneity developed in the two distinct regimes of material response is illustrative of warm and hot working conditions typical of industrial processes, such as rolling.