Abstract
This study investigates the influence of the oxide layer formed during back-to-back cold rolling operation of aluminium–magnesium alloys on frictional properties. Hot-rolled and cold-rolled samples of varying thicknesses were assessed for oxide layer thickness, oxide layer characteristics and surface roughness during cold rolling operation. Topographic analyses were performed using advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) equipped with an Energy Dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to examine the effect of back-to-back rolling passes on the evolution of oxide layer characteristics on aluminium _ magnesium_manganese alloys.
The TEM results demonstrated a significant correlation between increased magnesium content and oxide layer thickness particularly during back-to-back rolling operations generating an MgO oxide. Furthermore, higher temperatures during back-to-back cold rolling resulted in a thicker oxide layer consisting of a mixture of Al2O3 and MgO. Additionally, higher rolling loads resulted in higher surface roughness due to insufficient lubricant, leading to higher frictional properties. This was seen across different passes, influencing overall material performance. Understanding these relationships provides valuable insights into optimizing manufacturing processes for aluminum alloys in industrial applications.