Search

The influence of iron (Fe)-containing constituent particles on the behavior of fatigue crack initiation and propagation of Al-Cu-Li-Mg-Zr alloys has been studied using fatigue crack growth (FCG) tests and in-situ fatigue testing and detailed metallographic examination based on scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results show that the alloy with a low level of Fe content (2A97-T3 sheet) exhibited a lower density, accompanying equivalent tensile strength and FCG rate compared to the damage-tolerant 2524-T3 sheet. It was found that the fatigue b growth of both alloys is dominated by transgranular mode, accompanied by intergranular expansion, and the high level of Fe content alloy presents more characteristics of intergranular. Coarse constituent particles were detrimental to the resistance against FCG. It is postulated here that the micro-cracks formed around the coarse Fe-containing particles are merged with the primary crack to produce a bridging effect, accelerating the growth of fatigue cracks in the alloy with a high level of Fe content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A non-isothermal ageing process was proposed for an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy aiming to accommodate the slow heating/cooling procedure during the ageing of large components. The evolution of microstructure and microchemistry was analyzed by using transmission electron microscopy, high-angle annular dark field imaging, and energy dispersive spectrometry. The age-hardening of the alloy was examined to evaluate the strengthening behavior during the non-isothermal process. The corrosion behavior was investigated via observing the specimens immersed in EXCO solution (solution for Exfoliation Corrosion Susceptibility test in 2xxx and 7xxx series aluminum alloys, referring ASTM G34-01). Secondary precipitation was observed during the cooling stage, leading to increased precipitate number density. The distribution of grain boundary precipitates transits from discontinuous to continuous at the cooling stage, due to the secondary precipitation’s linking-up effect. The solutes’ enrichment on grain boundary precipitates and the depletion in precipitate-free zones develops during the heating procedure, but remains invariable during the cooling procedure. The corrosion in NIA (Non-isothermal Ageing) treated specimens initiates from pitting and then transits to intergranular corrosion and exfoliation corrosion. The transition from pitting to intergranular corrosion is very slow for specimens heated to 190 °C, but accelerates slightly as the cooling procedure proceeds. The transition to exfoliation corrosion is observed to be quite slow in all specimens in non-isothermal aged to over-aged condition, suggesting a corrosion resistance comparable to that of RRA condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]