Investigation of Stress Corrosion Cracking Initiation of 7A52 Aluminum Alloy

The stress corrosion cracking（SCC） behaviour of 7A52 aluminum alloy in air and in 3.5% NaCl solution was researched by slow strain rate test（SSRT） and SEM-EDS. The SCC susceptibility was estimated with the loss of the reduction in area. The experimental results indicate that the SCC susceptibility of 7A52 aluminum alloy in 3.5% chloride solution is the highest at strain rate of 1×10-6 s-1. The lowest one is under the condition of 1×10-5 s-1. Stress concentration and anode dissolving around Al-Fe-Mn intermetallics initiate micropores which will result in microcracks. The existence of intermetallics in the microstructure may play an important role in understanding the SCC initiation mechanisms of 7A52 aluminum alloy.

Volta Potential Analysis of Intermetallics in 7A52 Aluminum Alloy

In order to study the effect of intermaetallics on the corrosion behaviour of 7A52 aluminum alloy, the alloy was characterized by means of SEM-EDS and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy（SKPFM）. The experimental results indicate that there are two different intermetallics：A1-Mn-Fe and Mg2Si. Both intermetallics exhibite the negative volta potential relative to the matrix indicating an anodic behaviour. Hereby, they are easy to be dissolved and corroded under the erosive environment, and there become the corrosion initiation sites. The A1-Mn-Fe intermetallics show stronger anodic behaviour than those of Mg2Si intermetalics. It means that A1-Mn-Fe intermetalics are easier to be corroded.

Cutting properties of water vapor plasma arc on 7A52 aluminum alloy plate

7A52 aluminum alloy was cut with an integrated equipment for welding and cutting using water vapor plasma arc. Various cutting mediums were tested. The arc force, electron density and cutting speed in each medium were tested and calculated. The fractography and microstructure of the cuts were also analyzed. Results show that the arc force, electron density and cutting speed #wreased with increasing acetone concentration. However, above a certain value （40%）, higher acetone concentrations contribute little to the arc force and cutting speed. The microstrueture of material near the cut was greatly influenced by the water vapor plasma arc. While the microstructure of the material beyond 10 mm from the cut was hardly influenced by the cutting heat. It was demonstrated that the water vapor plasma arc can be used for cutting of aluminum alloys in open field or emergency situations.

Surface nanocrystallization of 7A52 aluminum alloy welded joint

As a means of surface modification process, metal surface nanocrystallization （MSN） has attracted widespread attention and enjoyed a great prospect. However, currently little research is carried out regarding MSN of welded joint. The processes of high energy shot peening （HESP） technology and ultrasonic impact treatment （UIT） were carried out to achieve joint surface nanocrystallization. The grain size of before and after the welded joint surface nanocrystallization were comparatively analyzed with X-ray diffractometer, the surface deformation layer thickness of before and after the welded joint surface nanocrystallization were comparatively analyzed with optical microscopy, the surface hardness of before and after the welded joint surface nanocrystallization were comparatively analyzed with micro hardness machine. The results show that both of the processes can achieve welded joint surface nanocrystaUization and the weld after HESP have smaller grain size, larger deformation layer thickness and higher hardness values than those after UIT. However, HESP is restrained by the shapes and sizes of welding materials, so the UIT process is preferred to use in the general engineering practical applications.