Influence of nonequilibrium second-phase particles formed during solidification upon the mechanical behavior of an aluminum alloy

The mechanical behavior of a wrought high strength aluminum alloy is examined as a function of the concentration of second-phase microconstituents. These second-phase particles are located in grain boundaries and interdendritic sites. Their concentration was varied by thermal-mechanical processing. In the areas of strengths, ductility, crack toughness, fatigue, and stress corrosion cracking, empirical results are presented and discussed. Observations are made on changes in the anisotropic character of this category of material with lower concentrations of second phases. Formerly Research Advisor, Frankford Arsenal. This paper is based on an invited talk presented at a symposium on Homogenization of Alloys, sponsored by the IMD Heat Treatment Committee, and held on May 11,1970, at the spring meeting of The Metallurgical Society of AIME, in Las Vegas, Nev.