Microstructure Distribution Characteristics of High-Strength Aluminum Alloy Thin-Walled Tubes during Multi-Passes Hot Power Backward Spinning Process

The microstructure of the thin-walled tubes with high-strength aluminum alloy determines their final forming quality and performance. This type of tube can be manufactured by multi-pass hot power backward spinning process as it can eliminate casting defects, refine microstructure and improve the plasticity of the tube. To analyze the microstructure distribution characteristics of the tube during the spinning process, a 3D coupled thermo-mechanical FE model coupled with the microstructure evolution model of the process was established under the ABAQUS environment. The microstructure evolution characteristics and laws of the tube for the whole spinning process were analyzed. The results show that the dynamic recrystallization is mainly produced in the spinning deformation zone and root area of the tube. In the first pass, the dynamic recrystallization phenomenon is not obvious in the tube. With the pass increasing, the trend of dynamic recrystallization volume percentage gradually increases and extends from the outer surface of the tube to the inner surface. The fine-grained area shows the states of concentration, dispersion, and re-concentration as the pass number increases. .

Effect of deformation temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of 7055 aluminum alloy after heat treatment

The multi-pass hot compression test of 7055 aluminum alloy was performed at different temperatures and then the samples were heat treated by T6 heat treatment.The compressed samples were analyzed by OM and TEM.The results reveal that the average aspect ratio of the grains in the specimens compressed first decreases and then increases,the dislocation density decreases and subgrain diameter increases with the increase of deformation temperature.The effects of deformation temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 7055 aluminum alloy after heat treatment were investigated by means of OM and mechanical property test.The results indicate that the deformation temperature significantly influences microstructure and mechanical property of 7055 aluminum alloy.The volume fraction of recrystallization grains presents a ＂fall-rise＂ pattern with the deformation temperature rising.The mechanical properties get better when the volume fraction of recrystallization grains decreases.Moreover,the volume fraction of recrystallization grain has a minimum value,appropriately 45%,and the sample exhibits the highest strength and elongation at the deformation temperature of 400 ℃.

Effect of T7951 secondary aging treatment on crack propagation behavior of 7055 aluminum alloy

The crack propagation rates of T6 peak aging and T7951 secondary aging 7055 aluminium alloys were tested under stress ratios (R) of 0.6, 0.05 and ?1, respectively. The microstructures and fracture surfaces were analyzed by TEM and SEM. The results reveal that the crack propagation rate is affected by the stress ratio and microstructure such as the distribution, dimension and volume fraction of matrix precipitates, grain boundary precipitates and precipitate free zone. For both heat-treated specimens, crack propagation rate increases with the improvement of R when it is a positive value while crack propagation rate at R=?1 is much similar to that at R=0.06. The crack growth rates exhibit no obvious difference in lower stress intensity factor range (ΔK), while the difference starts to be obvious when ΔK exceeds certain value. The fracture analysis testifies a better fracture toughness for 7055-T7951 with a smaller striation space in Paris region.

TEM STUDY ON MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF SINGLE-AGEING 7055 ALUMINUM ALLOYS

Mierostruetural development of a commercial 7055 （Al-Zn-Mg-Cu）alloy is studied by transmission electron mieroseope（TEM） during the process of single-ageing for up to 48 h. It is observed that Guinier-Preston （GP） zones are formed on { 111} planes when the sample is aged for a short time and grows up gradually with increase of ageing time. η＇ phase is formsed after ageing for 4 h at 120℃, having the orientation relationship with the matrix as[0 0 0 1]η＇//[1 1^- 1]Al and （1 0 1^- 1）η＇//（1 1 0）Al.η phase starts to occur after 24 h ageing and has an orientation relationship with matrix as [1^- 1 0 0]η//[1 1 0]Al and （0 0 0 1）η// （1 1 1）Al. Since the density of both η＇ phase and η phase particles is much lower than that of GP zone on aged alloy, GP zones are important to control the properties of the alloy.

固溶处理对喷射成形7055铝合金组织及性能的影响

采用差示扫描量热仪(DSC)、扫描电镜(SEM)、电子背散射衍射(EBSD)技术、常温拉伸、剥落腐蚀试验等研究了固溶处理对喷射成形7055铝合金组织和性能的影响。结果表明:随着固溶温度的升高,合金中粗大第二相面积分数逐渐减小,AlZnMgCu相和Al_(2)CuMg(S)相基本回溶,只残留少量的Al_(7)Cu_(2)Fe相,亚晶尺寸和再结晶面积分数随着固溶温度的升高和固溶时间的延长而增大,导致抗拉强度先增大后减小。合金经470℃固溶处理2 h+时效处理后,抗拉强度、伸长率和剥落腐蚀性能分别为613.4 MPa、8.9%和EB+级。喷射成形7055铝合金的静态再结晶机制包括“原有晶界弓出机制”和“亚晶合并机制”。

Optimization of deformation parameters of dynamic recrystallization for 7055 aluminum alloy by cellular automaton

In order to simulate the microstructure evolution during hot compressive deformation,models of dynamic recrystallization(DRX)by cellular automaton(CA)method for7055aluminum alloy were established.The hot compression tests were conducted toobtain material constants,and models of dislocation density,nucleation rate and recrystallized grain growth were fitted by leastsquare method.The effects of strain,strain rate,deformation temperature and initial grain size on microstructure variation werestudied.The results show that the DRX plays a vital role in grain refinement in hot deformation.Large strain,high temperature andsmall strain rate are beneficial to grain refinement.The stable size of recrystallized grain is not concerned with initial grain size,butdepends on strain rate and temperature.Kinetic characteristic of DRX process was analyzed.By comparison of simulated andexperimental flow stress–strain curves and metallographs,it is found that the established CA models can accurately predict themicrostructure evolution of7055aluminum alloy during hot compressive deformation.

Effects of precipitates on fatigue crack growth rate of AA 7055 aluminum alloy

The effects of precipitates on the fatigue crack growth rate of AA 7055 Al alloy subjected to different ageing treatments were investigated using transmission electron microscope and fatigue crack growth testing.The results show that the T77 treated samples exhibit the lowest crack growth rate,while the crack growth rate of over-aged samples is the highest.In terms of the model based on the reversibility of dislocation motion within the plastic zone close to the crack tip,the improved crack growth resistance is attributed to many precipitates that are coherent with Al matrix in the under-aged and T77 treated samples.When the precipitate is coherent with the Al matrix,the larger the precipitate is,the slower the fatigue crack grows.The effects of grain boundary precipitates and precipitate free zone on the fatigue crack growth resistance are less significant than those of precipitates within grains of the alloy.

Prediction on hot deformation behavior of spray-formed 7055 aluminum alloy via phenomenological models

Hot compression tests in the temperature range of 340-450 ℃ and strain rate range of 0.001-1 s^-1 of spray-formed 7055 aluminum alloy were carried out to study its hot deformation behavior. Three phenomenological models including Johnson-Cook, modified Fields-Backofen and Arrhenius-type were introduced to predict the flow stresses during the compression process. And then, a comparative predictability of the phenomenological models was estimated in terms of the relative errors, correlation coefficient（R）, and average absolute relative error（AARE）. The results indicate that Johnson-Cook model and modified Fields-Backofen model cannot well predict the hot deformation behavior due to the large deviation in the process of line regression fitting. Arrhenius-type model obtains the best fit through combining the effect of strain rate and temperature.

Simulation of low proportion of dynamic recrystallization in 7055 aluminum alloy

The hot deformation and dynamic recrystallization(DRX)behaviors of 7055 aluminum alloy were studied at temperatures of 390−470℃ and strain rates of 0.01−1 s^(−1).A low DRX fraction between 1% and 13% was observed by using EBSD technique.A modified JMAK-type DRX model was proposed for such low DRX fraction problems.The model was used together with commercial FEM software DEFORM-3D to simulate the hot compression of 7055 aluminum alloy.There was a good agreement between experimental and predicted DRX fractions and grain size with an average absolute relative error(AARE)of 13.7% and 6.3%,respectively.In order to further verify the validity of the proposed model,the model was also used to simulate DRX in industrial hot rolling of 7055 aluminum alloys.The results showed that the distribution of DRX fraction was inhomogeneous,and agreed with experimental observations.

Effect of high-temperature pre-precipitation on microstructure and properties of 7055 aluminum alloy

The near solvus pre precipitation following higher temperature solution treatment was performed on 7055 aluminum alloy. The effect of the pre precipitation on the microstructure, age hardening and stress corrosion cracking of 7055 alloy was investigated. The optical and transmission electron microscopy results show that the near solvus pre precipitation can be limited to grain boundary and enhance the discontinuity of grain boundary precipitates in the sequent age. The stress corrosion cracking resistance of aged 7055 alloys could be improved with non deteriorated strength and plasticity via the pre precipitation.

Influence of quench transfer time on microstructure and mechanical properties of 7055 aluminum alloy

The influence of quench transfer time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 7055 aluminum alloy with and without zirconium was investigated by tensile properties test,optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.For the Zr-free alloy,the strength increases to the highest value at 20 s with transfer time,and then decreases slightly.The elongation decreases slowly with transfer time within 20 s,and more rapidly after 20 s.For the Zr-containing alloy,prolonging transfer time within 20 s results in slight decrease in the strength and elongation,and rapid drop of which is observed after 20 s.For the Zr-free alloy,prolonging transfer time can increase the percentage of intergranular fracture,which is mainly caused by wide grain boundary precipitate free zone.The failure mode of the Zr-containing alloy is modified from the predominant transgranular void growth and intergranular fracture to transgranular shear and intergranular fracture with increase in the transfer time,which is attributed to the wider grain boundary precipitate free zone and coarse equilibrium η phases in the matrix.

Effect of step-quenching on microstructure of aluminum alloy 7055

The effect of step-quenching on the microstructure of aluminum alloy 7055 after artificial aging was studied by hardness testing and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Step-quenching leads to decomposition of solid solution and heterogeneous precipitation of equilibrium phase mainly on dispersoids and at grain boundaries; thus lower hardness after aging. Prolonging isothermal holding at 415 ℃ results in coarser and more spaced η phase particles at grain boundaries with wider precipitates free zone, and lower density of larger η′ hardening precipitates inside grains after aging. Isothermal holding at 355 ℃ results in heterogeneous precipitation of η phase both on dispersoids and at grain boundaries. Isothermal holding at 235 ℃ results in heterogeneous precipitation of η phase first, and then S phase. Precipitates free zones are created around these coarse η and S phase particles after aging. Prolonging isothermal holding at these two temperatures leads to fewer η′ hardening precipitates inside grains, larger and more spaced η phase particles at grain boundaries and wider grain boundary precipitates free zone after aging.

Single-aging characteristics of 7055 aluminum alloy

The microstructures and properties of 7055 aluminum alloy were studied at different single-aging for up to 48 h using hardness test, tensile test, electrical conductivity measurement, XRD and TEM microstructure analysis. The results show that at the early stage of aging, the hardness and strength of the alloy increase rapidly, the peak hardness and strength are approached after 120 ℃ aging for 4 h, then maintained at a high level for a long time. The suitable single-aging treatment of 7055 alloy is 480 ℃, 1 h solution treatment and water quenching, then aging at 120 ℃ for 24 h. Under those condition, the tensile strength, yield strength, elongation and electrical conductivity of the studied alloy are 513 MPa, 462 MPa, 9.5% and 29%(IACS), respectively. During aging, the solid solution decomposes and precipitation occurs. At the early aging stage of 120 ℃, GP zones form and then grow up gradually with increasing ageing time. η′ phase forms after ageing for 4 h and η phase starts to occur after 24 h aging.

Process of friction-stir welding high-strength aluminum alloy and mechanical properties of joint

The process of friction-stir welding 2A12CZ alloy has been studied. And strength and elongation tests have been performed, which demonstrated that the opportunity existed to manipulate friction-stir welding parameters in order to improve a range of material properties. The results showed that the joint strength and elongation arrived at their maximums (331 MPa and 4%) at 37.5 mm/min and 300 rpm. As welding parameters changing, joint tensile strength and elongation had similar development. Hardness measurement indicated that the weld was softened. However, there was considerable difference in softening degree for different joint zone. The weld top had lower hardness and wider softening zone than other zone of the weld. And softening zone at advancing side was wider than that at retreating side.

非等温回归再时效工艺对7055铝合金组织与性能的影响

文章以7055铝合金为研究对象,通过TEM、力学性能测试、耐腐蚀性能测试等实验手段,探究非等温回归过程中升温速率对合金组织与性能的影响规律,回归升温速率设为40℃/h、60℃/h、600℃/h,升温截止温度为180℃。结果表明,当非等温回归再时效工艺为(120℃×24 h)+(60℃/h→180℃)+(120℃×24 h)时,7055铝合金获得了高于T6态的强度,抗拉强度680 MPa,屈服强度641 MPa,延伸率14%。60℃/h升温速率下回归再时效后,晶内析出相细小弥散分布,晶界析出相断续排列,晶界无沉淀析出带(PFZ)明显,剥落腐蚀性能评级为EA,耐腐蚀性能优异。

High-strength aluminum alloys hollow billet prepared by two-phase zone continuous casting

The two-phase zone continuous casting(TZCC)technique was used to continuously cast high-strength aluminum alloy hollow billets,and a verified 3D model of TZCC was used to simulate the flow and temperature fields at casting speeds of 2-6 mm·min^(-1).Hollow billets under the same conditions were prepared,and their macro/microstructures were analyzed by an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope.During the TZCC process,a circular fluid flow appears in front of the mushy zone,and the induction heated stepped mold and convective heat transfer result in a curved solidification front with depressed region near the inner wall and a vertical temperature gradient.The deflection of the solidification front decreases and the average cooling rate in the mushy zone increases with increasing casting speed.Experimental results for a 2D12 alloy show that hot tearing periodically appears in the hollow billet accompanied by macrosegregation near the inner wall at casting speeds of 2 and 4 mm·min^(-1),while macroscopic defects of hot tearing and macrosegregation weaken and the average size of columnar crystals in the hollow billets decreases with further increasing casting speed.2D12 aluminum alloy hollow billets with no macroscopic defects,the finest columnar crystals,and excellent mechanical properties were prepared by TZCC at a casting speed of 6 mm·min^(-1),which is beneficial for the further plastic forming process.

Recent progress in corrosion protection of friction stir welded high-strength aluminum alloy joints

Friction stir welding （FSW） has been widely used in many industries, with which high-strength aluminum alloys can be well joined. However, the corrosion resistance of FSW high-strength Al alloy joints is relatively poor, which limits their industrial applications. The joints shall be protected against corrosion. In this review, therefore, the current status and development of corrosion protection for FSW high-strength Al alloy joints are presented. Particular emphasis has been given to different protection methods ： lowering heat input, post-weld heat treatment, surface modification and spray coatings. Finally, opportunities are identified for further research and development in corrosion protection of FSW high-strength Al alloy joints.

搅拌摩擦加工7055铝合金组织与腐蚀性能研究

利用搅拌摩擦加工技术搅拌了喷射成形7055铝合金,探讨不同搅拌道次对喷射成形7055铝合金组织和腐蚀性能的影响。结果表明:经搅拌摩擦加工后,7055铝合金组织致密,焊核区形成洋葱纹,面积会随着搅拌道次的增加而增大,晶粒呈现细小等轴晶。固溶处理导致搅拌区晶粒异常长大,异常长大晶粒的面积随着搅拌道次的增加而增大。质量分数3.5%NaCl溶液中的电化学腐蚀表明,随着搅拌道次的增加,合金的自腐蚀电位降低,自腐蚀电流增大,阻抗减小,耐腐蚀性降低。

Static softening behaviors of 7055 alloy during the interval time of multi-pass hot compression

Multipass plain strain compression test of 7055 alloy was carried out on Gleeble 1500D thermomechanical simulator to study the effect of interval time on static softening behavior between two passes. Microstructural features of the alloy deformed with delay times varying from 0 to 180 s after achieving a reduction of ,-~52 % in the 13 stages was investigated through TEM and EBSD observations. The 14th pass of peak stresses after different delay times were gained. The peak stress decreases with the interstage delay time increasing, but the decreasing trend is gradually slower. Static recovery, metadynamic recrystallization, and/or static recrystallization can be found in the alloy during two passes. The recovery and recrystallization degree increases with longer interstage delay time. The static recovery is the main softening mechanism. Subgrain coalescence and subgrain growth together with particle-stimulated nucleation are the main nucleation mechanisms for static recrystallization.

Influence of pre-stretching on quench sensitive effect of high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy sheet

The influence of pre-stretching on quench sensitive effect of high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy AA 7085 sheet was investigated by tensile testing at room temperature,transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).The water-cooled and aged alloy exhibits higher strength than the air-cooled and aged alloy;2.5%pre-stretching of tensile deformation exerts little effect on strength of water-cooled and aged alloy but increases that of air-cooled and aged one,and therefore the yield strength reduction rate due to slow quenching decreases from about 3.8%to about 1.0%,reducing quench sensitive effect.For the air-cooled alloy,pre-stretching increases the sizes ofη'strengthening precipitates but also increases their quantity and the ratio of diameter to thickness,resulting in enhanced strengthening and higher strength after aging.The reason has been discussed based on microstructure examination by TEM and DSC.