Abstract

The effects of the carbon dioxide laser bending on the microstructure and microhardness of aluminum alloy sheets were investigated. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Vickers microhardness techniques were used to ascertain the damage to the microstructure for different accumulated energy density (AED) values. The higher microhardness values were due to the small grain size and a localized temper, while the lower values were associated with grain growth.