Microstructure and properties characteristic during interrupted multi-step aging in Al-Cu-Mg-Ag-Zr alloy

The effects of interrupted multi-step aging on the microstructure and properties of Al-Cu-Mg-Ag-Zr alloy were studied by tensile,hardness,electrical conductivity tests and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Interrupted multi-step aging delayed the peak aging time compared to one-step aging and kept the same levels of hardness,electrical conductivity,ultimate tensile strength(UTS),yield strength(YS) and elongation as those of the T6 temper alloy while increased the fracture toughness notably.Ω phase and a little θ’ phase precipitated and grew simultaneously in the process of one-step aging at 160℃.During the second-step aging at 65℃ of interrupted multi-step aging,no TEM characteristic of Ω precipitates could be found.During the third step of interrupted multi-step aging,Ω began to dominate the microstructure like what happened in the process of one-step aging.The difference of properties between the T6 temper and the interrupted multi-step aged alloys might be related to the different precipitation sequences in the process of the two heat treatment technologies.     

Creep aging behavior of retrogression and re-aged 7150 aluminum alloy

Creep aging behavior of retrogression and re-aged (RRAed) 7150 aluminum alloy (AA7150) was systematically investigated using the creep aging experiments, mechanical properties tests, electrical conductivity tests and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations. Creep aging results show that the steady-state creep mechanism of RRAed alloys is mainly dislocation climb (stress exponent≈5.8), which is insensitive to the grain interior and boundary precipitates. However, the total creep deformation increases over the re-aging time. In addition, the yield strength and tensile strength of the four RRAed samples are essentially the same after creep aging at 140 °C for 16 h, but the elongation decreases slightly with the re-aging time. What's more, the retrogression and re-aging treatment are beneficial to increase the hardness and electrical conductivity of the creep-aged 7150 aluminum alloy. It can be concluded that the retrogression and re-aging treatment before creep aging forming process can improve the microstructure within grain and at grain boundary, forming efficiency and comprehensive performance of mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of 7150 aluminum alloy.     

Retrogression and re-aging treatment of Al-9.99%Zn-1.72%Cu-2.5%Mg-0.13%Zr aluminum alloy

1 Introduction The 7000 series aluminum alloys have been widely used as aircraft structure material because of their high strength/density ratio. This series of alloys provide high strength in the T6 condition but are prone to stress corrosion cracking(SC…     

时效工艺对2519A铝合金力学性能及抗应力腐蚀开裂性能的影响

通过常温拉伸实验、慢应变拉伸应力腐蚀实验、极化曲线测试及透射电镜等研究了不同时效工艺对2519A合金的力学性能和抗应力腐蚀开裂性能的影响.结果表明:与传统的2519A-T87合金相比,再时效时间为19 h的2519A-T9I7合金同时具有优异的力学性能和良好的抗应力腐蚀开裂性能.这是由于2519A-T9I7合金在T9I...     

Effect of thermal exposure on the microstructure,tensile properties and the corrosion behaviour of 6061 aluminium alloy sheet

Sheet material of the Al‐Mg‐Si alloy 6061 in the tempers T4 and T6 was thermally exposed at temperatures ranging from 85 to 120°C for 1000 h. The microstructure, tensile properties and the corrosion behaviour in the different heat treatment conditions were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and transmission electron microscopy as well as performing tensile tests and various corrosion tests. The additional heat treatments, which should simulate aging during long‐term service usage, caused an increase in strength of 6061‐T4 sheet, associated with changes in the naturally aged microstructure. Thermal exposure at 120°C for 1000 h resulted in tensile and corrosion properties being similar to those obtained for peak‐aged sheet. Alloy 6061 in the T6 temper exhibited microstructural stability when additionally heat treated at 85 and 120°C for 1000 h. No significant alterations in the microstructure, tensile properties, and corrosion performance were observed after exposure to slightly elevated temperatures.     

时效时间对7150铝合金组织和性能的影响

通过维氏硬度测试、电导率测试和拉伸、晶间腐蚀等测试方法,研究了预时效、回归及再时效三个阶段中的时效时间对7150铝合金组织和性能的影响,借助透射电镜观察时效处理各阶段合金的微观组织演变。结果表明:120℃×20 h欠时效作为预时效工艺,比120℃×24 h峰时效的晶内析出相更细小,高温回归时更利于回溶。在190℃短时回归5、15和30 min中,15 min回溶效果最好,硬度最低,再经120℃×24 h再时效后合金抗拉强度Rm、屈服强度RP0.2、伸长率A分别为622 MPa、573 MPa、10.8%,显微硬度为204 HV,力学性能与120℃×24 h单级峰时效时相近。经120℃×20 h+190℃×15 min+120℃×24 h处理后7150铝合金综合性能好,耐晶间腐蚀性能佳。     

Effect of T6-treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of forged Al-4.4Cu-0.7Mg-0.6Si alloy

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hardness tests and tensile tests were performed to investigate the effect of aging on microstructure and mechanical properties of forged Al-4.4Cu-0.7Mg-0.6Si alloy. The results show that the alloy exhibits splendid mechanical properties with an ultimate tensile strength of 504 MPa and an elongation of 10.1% after aging at 170 °C for 16 h. With tensile testing temperature increasing to 150 °C, the strength of the alloy declines slightly to 483 MPa. Then, the strength drops quickly when temperature reaches over 200 °C. The high strength of the alloy in peak-aged condition is caused by a considerable amount of θ′ and AlMgSiCu (Q) precipitates. The relatively stable mechanical properties tested below 150 °C are mainly ascribed to the stability of θ′ precipitates. The growth of θ′ and Q precipitates and the generation of θ phase lead to a rapid drop of the strength when temperature is over 150 °C.     

Optimization of the Mechanical Properties and Residual Stresses in 2024 Aluminum Alloy Through Heat Treatment

Residual stresses induced during quenching of aluminum alloys cause dimensional instability and distortion. In this study, the effects of different concentrations of polyalkylene glycol (PAG) quenchants on residual stresses and mechanical properties of 2024 aluminum alloy were investigated. Surface residual stresses were measured by using hole-drilling strain-gauge method. Also, mechanical properties and microstructure of the heat-treated samples were analyzed using hardness measurements, tensile tests, and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that quenching into a 15% polymeric solution and aging at 190 °C for 12 h cause 50% reduction in residual stress as compared with quenching in water at 20 °C and naturally aging. Moreover, tensile strength decreased by 104 MPa (~?20%) in compared with the T6 sample.     

Redistribution and re-precipitation of solute atom during retrogression and reaging of A1-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys

The redistribution and re-precipitation of solute atom during retrogression and reaging of three different A1-Zn-Mg-Cu aluminum alloys were investigated. The results of hardness and tensile strength test indicate that after pre-aging at 100 ℃ or 120 ℃ and retrogressing at 200 ℃ for various time and re-aging treatment, the hardness and strength of the alloys are all larger than those under pre-aging condition, some of them even exceed the value under peak aging（T6） condition. TEM observation shows that the PFZ formed during retrogressing in short time becomes narrow and even disappears after re-aging treatment. However, the PFZ formed during retrogressing for a long time does not narrow after re-aging treatment. It is suggested that the redistribution and re-precipitation of solute atom during re-aging treatment result in the narrowing and even disappearance of the PFZ formed during retrogression, which reinforces the grain-boundaries and presents the value of tensile strength exceeding peak-aging strength in the RRA condition, while the precipitates in the matrix of the alloys still keep or even exhibit a more dispersed distribution, and a greater effect of precipitation strengthening is obtained.     

二次回归再时效对Al-Zn-Mg-Cu组织、强度及剥蚀性能的影响(英文)

采用硬度、拉伸和剥落腐蚀测试手段,结合透射电镜和扫描电镜观察以及能谱分析,研究二次回归再时效对组织、力学和剥蚀性能的影响。二次回归再时效处理保持了类似一次回归再时效处理的晶内析出相,得到比T76过时效更粗大且离散的晶界析出相。与T76相比,二次回归再时效处理的晶界析出相具有更高的铜含量和更低的锌含量。因此,二次回归再时效处理保持了一次回归再时效处理的强度,同时得到了比T76过时效处理更高的剥蚀抗力。     

Effect of aging temperature and of retrogression treatment time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of alloy AA 7075

Alloy AA 7075-T6 is studied after retrogression and re-aging. The retrogression heat treatment is performed at various temperatures and hold times, and subsequent aging is performed at 130°C for 12 h. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy are studied depending on the temperature and the hold time of the retrogression heat treatment. Electron microscopic studies are preformed and mechanical characteristics are determined in tensile and impact tests. The HRB microhardness is measured.     

Effects of Pre-Strain on Exfoliation Corrosion Behavior in Al-Cu-Mg Alloy

Mechanical properties and exfoliation corrosion behavior in Al-Cu-Mg alloy with various pre-strain percents were characterized in this study by means of hardness measurement, optical microscope, transmission electron microscope (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical technique. The hardness of naturally aged alloy was significantly enhanced with increasing the pre-strain percents. The immersion tests and polarization measurements revealed that the pre-straining processing before natural aging reduced the resistance of the alloy to exfoliation corrosion (EXCO), which was mainly attributed to the increase of dislocations density and grain aspect ratio. The decrease of residual tensile stress may only play a minor role in the EXCO resistance.     

新型Al-Zn-Mg-Cu合金型材回归再时效处理的组织与性能

采用拉伸、硬度、电导率测试和透射电镜分析等方法研究了不同回归处理工艺对Al-Zn-Mg-Cu合金型材组织与性能的影响。结果表明,采用120℃×24 h+180℃×45 min+120℃×24 h回归再时效处理后,合金的抗拉强度、屈服强度、伸长率和电导率分别为613.5 MPa、599 MPa、11.1%和39.2%IASC。与T6态相比,合金在抗拉强度和伸长率相当的情况下,屈服强度和电导率显著提高,合金的抗应力腐蚀性能明显改善。合金晶内为细小的η’相和η相,晶界沉淀相断续分布,伴有较窄的晶界无析出带。     

Effects of retrogression heating rate on microstructures and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy 7050

The effects of the retrogression heating rate(340℃/min,57℃/min,4.3℃/min)on the microstructures and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy 7050 were investigated by means of hardness measurement,tensile properties testing,differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The results show that the retrogression heating rate significantly affects the microstructures and mechanical properties of the alloys treated by retrogression and re-aging(RRA)process, and it is found that the medium rate(57℃/min)leads to the highest mechanical properties.The strengthening phases in the matrix are mainly the fine dispersed η′precipitates and GP zones,and the grain boundary precipitates are coarse and discontinuous η phases.     

Corrosion behavior of novel Cu–Ni–Al–Si alloy with super-high strength in 3.5% NaCl solution

A novel Cu–6.5Ni–1Al–1Si–0.15Mg–0.15Ce alloy with super-high strength was designed and its corrosion behavior in 3.5% NaCl solution at 25 °C was investigated by the means of SEM observation, TEM observation and XPS analysis. The alloy after solution treatment, 80% cold rolling and aging at 450 °C for 1 h had the best comprehensive properties with hardness of HV 314, electrical conductivity of 19.4% IACS, tensile strength of 1017 MPa, and average annual corrosion rate of 0.028 mm/a. The oxides and chloride products formed at first, followed by the formation of dyroxides products. The alloy showed super-high strength, good electrical conductivity and corrosion resistant because Ni₂Si hindered the precipitation of large NiAl at the grain boundary and the denickelefication of the alloy.     

Optimization of heat treatment of gravity cast Sr-modified B356 aluminum alloy

In recent years, certain foundry processes have made it possible to obtain products with very thin parts, below the 4 mm threshold of the permanent mold casting technology. The safety margins of these castings have been reduced, so the T6 heat treatment conditions adopted for the Al–7Si–Mg alloys need to be investigated to identify the best combination of strength and ductility. Furthermore, the cost and the production time associated with T6 heat treatment have to be optimized. In the present work, an experimental study was carried out to optimize the solution treatment and artificial aging conditions in gravity cast thin bars of B356 aluminum alloy modified with Sr. Two solution temperatures were selected, 530 °C and 550 °C, respectively, with solution time ranging from 2 to 8 h, followed by water quenching and artificial aging at 165 °C with aging time from 2 to 32 h. The results of hardness and tensile tests were correlated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The best combination of mechanical properties and heat treatment duration was obtained with 2 h solutionizing at 550 °C and 8 h aging at 165 °C. DSC analysis showed that the alloy's mechanical properties reach the maximum value when the β″ phase is completely developed during the artificial aging.     

固溶处理和人工时效对Al-Cu合金显微组织和力学性能的影响(英文)

对Al-Cu合金进行析出强化和人工时效处理以获得优异的力学性能,如高的强度、好的韧性。其热处理工艺条件为:510～530℃固溶处理2h;60℃水淬;160～190℃人工时效2～8h。采用光学显微镜、扫描电镜、能谱分析、透射电镜和拉伸实验对经固溶和人工时效处理的Al-Cu合金的组织和力学性能进行表征。固溶处理实验结果表明,Al-Cu合金的力学性能随着固溶处理温度的升高先增加,然后降低。这是由于Al-Cu合金的残余相逐渐溶解进入基体中,从而导致析出相的数量和再结晶晶粒尺寸不断增加。相较于固溶处理温度,固溶处理时间对Al-Cu合金的影响较小。人工时效处理实验结果表明,合金经180℃时效8h,可以获得最大的拉伸强度。合金的最大拉伸强度和屈服强度随着时效时间的延长和温度的升高而升高。     

Single and double aging treatments on Mg97Zn1Y2 alloy

The development of magnesium alloys was limited due to the low absolute strength and poor corrosion resistance. It was found that the optimal performance could not be achieved in some alloys by a single quenching and aging treatment, but could be achieved after a graded aging or multiple-stage aging heat treatment. The Mg97Zn1Y2 alloy was prepared and subjected to single and double aging treatments. Single aging was carried out at 250 ℃ for 6 to 15 h. For double aging, the first step was performed the same as the single aging. The second step was performed at 350 ℃ for 12 h. The microstructure and properties of the alloy with single and double aging were analyzed by means of hardness measurement, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and polarization curve measurements. Results show that the precipitated nanoscale phases are formed during aging, and evenly distributed in the matrix. Compared with the single aging treatment, the hardness and corrosion resistance of the alloy are further improved due to the double aging treatment.     

T6时效和T6I6时效对6005A铝合金微观组织和性能的影响

采用硬度测试、晶间腐蚀试验,透射电镜(TEM)和高分辨透射电子显微(HRTEM)分析研究6时效和T6I6时效工艺处理对6005A铝合金硬度和晶间腐蚀性能的影响。结果显示:6005A铝合金经T6峰时效175℃、12 h后,虽然硬度达到了120 HV,但存在严重的晶间腐蚀倾向,腐蚀深度约为100μm,同时,晶界上的析出相呈不连续分布,尺寸较小;经T6I6时效处理后,晶内生成细小的析出相,同时晶界的析出相呈不连续分布,但尺寸较大,此时合金可获得更高的峰值硬度(127 HV),而且其抗腐蚀能力得到显著提高,腐蚀深度约为30μm。     

Improved Corrosion Resistance of As-Extruded GZ51K Biomagnesium Alloy with High Mechanical Properties by Aging Treatment

Effects of aging treatment on microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior of the as-extruded Mg-5Gd-1Zn-0.6Zr (GZ51K, wt.%) alloy were investigated. Microstructure was observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties were tested on a tensile test machine and a microhardness tester, and corrosion behavior was evaluated by mass loss and polarization tests. It is found that most of equiaxed α-Mg grains have long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) structure, and some of them have no LPSO structure. Long-elongated grains are formed in the as-extruded alloy due to partial recrystallization and disappear after being aged at 200 and 220 °C. The as-extruded alloy exhibits both high-yield strength and high ductility. The mechanical properties of the alloy are not apparently enhanced, but the corrosion resistance is significantly improved after aging treatment. Moreover, the alloy with LPSO structure presents uniform corrosion mode in simulated body fluid. The GZ51K alloy with high mechanical properties and uniform corrosion behavior is worthy to be further investigated for biomedical applications.