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The effect of copper content and microstructure on the hydrogen embrittlement of AI-6Zn-2Mg alloys

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Abstract

Two commercially-processed Al-6Zn-2Mg alloys, 7050 and a “low copper” 7050, were tested for susceptibility to embrittlement by precharged hydrogen and by simultaneous cathodic charging and straining (SET procedure). Specimens were heat treated to underaged, peak-strength aged, and overaged conditions. In 7050, the peak strength and overaged conditions were not embrittled by hydrogen, though underaged material showed marked embrittlement. All microstructures tested for the low-copper alloy were embrittled. The results agree with the microstructural rationale established through earlier work on 7075 and 2124 aluminum alloys, particularly with respect to the susceptibility of underaged material to hydrogen. As in earlier work, the extent of dislocation transport of hydrogen, and local hydrogen accumulation at grain boundaries, evidently controlled the extent and degree of brittle fracture. These three important alloys can now be ranked in the order 7050, 2124, 7075 of increasing relative susceptibility to theonset of stress corrosion cracking.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Los Alamos National Laboratory, M 765, 87545, Los Alamos, NM

    D. A. Hardwick

  2. Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Carnegie-Mellon University, 15213, Pittsburgh, PA

    A. W. Thompson (Professor) & I. M. Bernstein (Professor)

Authors
  1. D. A. Hardwick
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  2. A. W. Thompson
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  3. I. M. Bernstein
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Formerly Postdoctoral Associate at Carnegie-Mellon University.

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Hardwick, D.A., Thompson, A.W. & Bernstein, I.M. The effect of copper content and microstructure on the hydrogen embrittlement of AI-6Zn-2Mg alloys. Metall Trans A 14, 2517–2526 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02668893

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02668893

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