Testing and modelling of deformation and damage behaviour of thick-walled aluminium profiles for crash simulation

The aluminium alloy EN AW 6005A (AlMgSi0.7) is used for producing multi-chamber profiles as railway components since a compromise between strength, weldability and extru-sion capability can be achieved with this alloy. The wall thickness of a longitudinal beam for railway vehicles varies very strongly over the cross section e.g. from 6 mm to 20 mm. Microstructure and mechanical properties over the cross section of a profile and over the wall thickness are inhomogeneous due to different deformation degrees, temperature and cooling gradients as well as friction effects in the extrusion process. There are not sufficient results in the literature about the influence of the inhomogeneity in strength and ductility within a profile on component behaviour.