Evolution of secondary phases and properties of 7B04 aluminum alloy during DC homogenization

The effects of the direct current （DC） on the evolutions of hardness and morphology of the secondary phases in 7B04 aluminum alloy homogenized at 380？465 ℃ for 2 h were investigated in detail by electric conductivity measurement, hardness test, X-ray diffraction analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. The results show that with increasing temperature from 380 to 465 ℃, the electric conductivity of normal homogenized sample decreases from 34.9%IACS to 28.7%IACS, the hardness increases from HV 96 to HV 146, and the area fraction of secondary phase reduces from 4.5% to 1.89%. While, DC homogenized sample has a higher hardness, a lower electric conductivity and a smaller area fraction of secondary phases at the same temperature. The DC enhances the homogenization process by promoting the diffusibility of the solute atoms and the mobility of vacancy.

Effects of the two-step ageing treatment on the microstructure and properties of 7B04 alloy pre-stretched thick plates

The effects of the two-step ageing parameters （temperature and time） on the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of 7B04 （A1-Zn-Mg-Cu） pre-stretched thick plates were studied. The results reveal that the initial T1 ageing contributes a major increase of the tensile strength, and the 0.2% proof stress value reaches 482 MPa after ageing for 7 h at 115℃. Behavioral differences in the tensile properties of the alloy after the two-step ageing treatment were less with the first-step ageing at 115~C for different time periods （7, 14, and 21 h）. The effects of the second ageing parameters on the properties and microstructure of the 7B04 alloy were remarkable. TEM analysis of the samples aged at Temper I （7 h at 115℃ ＋ 12 h at 160℃） and Temper II （7 h at 115℃ ＋ 16 h at 165℃） indicates that two kinds of phases, i.e. 11＇ and 11 phases, precipitate from the matrix and efficiently improve the tensile strength of the alloy, and the grain boundary precipitates are coarse and discrete. There are obvious precipitate free zones （PFZs） along the grain boundary in the microstructure of the alloy after the two-step ageing treatment.

Effect of connection processes on mechanical properties of 7B04 aluminum alloy structures

The static and fatigue properties of 7B04 aluminum alloy structures connected by riveting and refill friction stir spot welding(refill FSSW)were compared and analyzed.Results show that the static compression load of the typical structure connected by riveting and refill FSSW fluctuated in the range of 117-124 kN,and the shear load was in the range of 89-95 kN.Welds spacing had a small influence on the static load of the structures joined by refill FSSW.However,the fatigue life of riveted structures was lower than that joined by refill FSSW.For the welded structure,the heterogeneous microstructures of the welded joint led to the uneven microhardness,and the hook at the lap interface bent upwards at the same time.These factors made the welded structures during the fatigue test failure along the path of sleeve moving.

Initial corrosion behavior and mechanism of 7B04 aluminum alloy under acid immersion and salt spray environments

The initial corrosion behavior and mechanism of 7B04 aluminum alloy under acid immersion and salt spray environments(pH=3.5)are studied by Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM),optical microscope,Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FT-IR),X-Ray Diffraction(XRD),potentiodynamic polarization,Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy(EIS),and Scanning Kelvin Probe(SKP).The results show that pitting corrosion occurs at the initial corrosion stage,and the potential difference between the second phase particles is the main cause of pitting.Pitting pits on different locations gradually expand and coalesce with the proceeding of corrosion.The main components of corrosion products are Al_(2)O_(3),Al(OH)_(3),and AlCl_(3),and the generation rate of the corrosion product layer under the salt spray environment is larger than that under acid immersion environment.Under both environments,the Volta potential distribution first disperses and then concentrates,while the charge transfer resistance first decreases and then increases with the corrosion time.The Volta potential gradually shifts in a positive direction,indicating that corrosion products have an inhibitory effect on corrosion.After the same corrosion time,the corrosion product layer resistance and the expectation of the Volta potential of the salt spray sample are higher than those of the immersion sample.Comparatively,the corrosion current density for the salt spray sample is significantly lower than the immersion sample,which indicates that the thicker the corrosion product layer,the stronger the inhibition of corrosion reaction.

Effects of Multiple Plastic Deformations on Microstruc-ture and Mechanical Properties of 7A04-T6

The influences of multiple plastic deformations on microstructure and mechanical properties of 7A04-T6 alloy by isothermal compression experiments in different passes deformation on the 6300 kN extrusion press. The experimental results showed that the strength and elongation of 7A04-T6 alloy were increased firstly and then decreased as the deformation pass increases at above 400 ℃. The grains of 7A04-T6 alloy was refined firstly and then grow, the grain was become refinement after four deformations under this experimental conditions. The second phase η (MgZn2) in the matrix would precipitate after solution, precipitation strengthening taking place. It is obvious that the number of second phase which dissolve into the matrix will increase as the deformation pass increasing. So the tensile strength reached the highest after four deformations, is 590.9 MPa, yield strength is 532.5 MPa, and elongation is 12.4%. After four deformations of 7A04-T6 alloy, tensile fracture surface of samples was composed of the deep and uniform dimples, belonging to ductile fracture. Therefore, 7A04-T6 alloy has better comprehensive mechanical properties after four deformations.