Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is a powerful tool used for the characterization of deformed microstructures and has been successfully applied to determine the microtexture of specific regions of bulk samples. The work presented here is a continuation of previous analyses investigating the microstructural response of 6xxx aluminum extrudates to complex die designs. Specifically, the grain orientations across longitudinal welds produced from porthole dies is being studied.

Previous work examined the cross section of a sample that was extruded using a specially designed die that would position the weld in the center of the part. This specimen, shown in Figure 1, is a simple, solid, rectangular shape produced under controlled conditions. The other sample being studied, seen in Figure 2, was part of an actual extrusion run, conducted with typical industrial parameters. This sample is part of a complex shape that uses a porthole die to produce hollow sections.