Microstructural evolution during monotonic and reverse shearing of AA5182 aluminium alloy

Annealed (O temper) and heavily cold-rolled (H temper) sheets of commercial AA5182 aluminium alloy have been submitted to in-plane shear tests, monotonically and with strain reversals. Mechanical behaviour and dislocation patterning are analysed and compared for two directions of testing: in the rolling direction, and 60° from it. No influence of strain reversal is exhibited in O temper in both cases, whereas softening occurs in H temper after reverse shearing in the rolling direction. These results are discussed with respect to microstructural and textural anisotropy.