Influence of strain parameters at rolling on the properties of wire-reinforced aluminium composites

The present experimental work is devoted to the analysis of strain parameters at rolling of aluminium composite with wire-reinforcement. The experiments on roll bonding of two strips of EN AW-5083 alloy with and without diagonal stainless steel net-reinforcement between them were carried out with different reductions. The rolling reduction was varied in a range from 25 to 55% and its influence on the straining of the wires and bonding mechanisms was analysed. The parameters describing the net behaviour in the composite established and used are the following: net cell elongation, wire elongation and wire ovalisation. The properties of the rolled composite are determined by means of longitudinal and transversal tensile testing, impact testing and microscopic analysis. The influence of the rolling reduction on the mechanisms of bonding formation in the composite, its properties and fracture behaviour are analysed. The optimum range of rolling reductions was established based on the conducted tests. The reinforcing net allowed reaching a tough bonding between the strip’s layers during rolling at lower plastic reduction, while the strips without reinforcement could not be bonded at rolling reduction below 45%. The wire-reinforced strips showed higher strength and ductility under the tensile loading in rolling direction and higher toughness during impact testing than the non-reinforced aluminium strips.