Determination of Kinematic Hardening Parameters in W-Temper Forming of 6082 Aluminum Alloy

This study investigates the kinematic hardening behavior of 6082 aluminum alloy during W-temper forming, with a particular focus on the influence of transition time following W-temper heat treatment on key kinematic hardening parameters. Specifically, Young's Reduction Factor (y), Young's Reduction Rate (χ), and Transient Softening Rate (K) were systematically analyzed. To achieve this, uniaxial tensile-compressive tests were conducted utilizing a newly developed anti-buckling fixture, while deformation characteristics were assessed through optical strain measurement. The experimental data were further processed and mathematically modeled in Scilab code using a point-by-point fitting approach. The results indicate that y exhibits a marginal increase with prolonged transition time, signifying a more pronounced reduction in the elastic modulus over extended durations. Similarly, χ demonstrates an increasing trend with longer transition times, while the overall magnitude of the K exhibits a progressive increase with increasing strain. The material characterization methodology employed in this study demonstrates significant potential for enhancing the predictive accuracy of kinematic hardening behavior in sheet metal forming. These findings underscore the critical importance of optimizing heat treatment protocols to improve the manufacturability and performance of high-strength aluminum alloys.