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The effect of intermediate thermomechanical treatments on the fatigue properties of a 7050 aluminum alloy

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Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of microstructures produced by different ingot processing techniques on the fatigue properties of a 7050 aluminum alloy. The different microstructures investigated were produced by hot-rolling to simulate commercial processing (CP) methods or intermediate thermomechanical treatments (ITMT). Characterization of the microstructures revealed that the CP 7050 material was partially recrystallized (<50 pct) due to the use of hot-rolling as the final deformation step. The ITMT materials were examined in the as-recrystallized (AR) condition or in AR + hot rolled condition (AR + HR). Results of the investigation showed thattotal fatigue life, both low and high cycle, were not greatly affected by the grain structures of the experimental materials. However, metallographic studies indicated that crack initiation is probably more difficult in the fine-grained AR material. The results of fatigue crack growth tests showed that higher crack growth rates observed at low ΔK values for ITMT {dy7050} were most likely due to the detrimental effects of undissolved Al2CuMg particles. These particles, which also contribute to low fracture toughness and higher crack growth rates at high ΔK levels, are formed during a furnace-cooling step in the ITMT processing schedule.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332, Atlanta, GA

    R. E. Sanders (Graduate Student) & E. A. Starke (Professor)

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  1. R. E. Sanders
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  2. E. A. Starke
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Sanders, R.E., Starke, E.A. The effect of intermediate thermomechanical treatments on the fatigue properties of a 7050 aluminum alloy. Metall Trans A 9, 1087–1100 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02652213

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