Viability of electrically treating 6061 T6511 aluminum for use in manufacturing processes

Electrical flow, applied before and during deformation, is shown to reduce the specific energy and flow stress of aged 6061 T6511 aluminum; it also creates apparent macroscopic strain-weakening in the material. When applied to annealed 6061 aluminum, the electricity not only further reduces the specific energy and flow stress but also delays the onset of necking; increasing the workability of the material. The precipitates and grains of the aluminum are investigated for alterations due to either annealing or electrical flow. Both treatments are shown to affect the size and number of the precipitates and decrease the grain size. However, the electricity has an effect on the mechanical properties beyond the changes in precipitates and grains; suggesting that electrical flow has the potential to reduce the forces generated in bulk deformation or material removal processes beyond the level that can be achieved by temperature alone.