Development of processing map for 6061 Al/15% SiCp through neural networks

An important parameter in the mechanical working of materials is called workability, which is the relative ease with which a metal can be shaped through plastic deformation without the formation of any defect. Workability can be evaluated by means of processing maps, constructed from experimentally generated flow stress variation with respect to strain, strain rate and temperature. The present work demonstrates the use of neural networks in generating processing maps for hot working processes for 6061 Al/15% SiCp composite. A neural network model was trained with the flow stress values obtained by conducting ring compression tests on 6061 Al/15% SiCp composite. Reliable prediction of flow stress was made from the trained networks. Power dissipation maps and instability maps were constructed using the flow stress predicted from the neural network model and subsequently processing maps were developed. The safe domains of hot working of 6061 Al/15% SiCp were identified and validated through microstructural investigations.