Papers by Keyword: Al-Cu-Mg Alloys

Abstract: We present a novel attempt to combine in-situ and ex-situ measurements -- here exemplary for aluminum alloys. For this research we have chosen an Al-1.7Cu-1.3Mg (at.\%) alloy, which has been cast from high purity elements (5N5 Al, 4N Cu and 4N Mg). DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) serves as a basic method, which is employed to determine different precipitation states towards the final S-phase formation: before the formation starts, at the maximum of the exothermal peak, and after the end of the exothermal reaction. By an abrupt truncation of the heating ramp (5 K/min), i.e. cooling quickly to room temperature, the current sample state is frozen-in for a defined temperature. After truncation all samples have been measured without further preparation by X-ray diffraction (XRD), positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). By this treatment we could correlate exactly different sample states, which is impossible by conventional experiments, i.e. heating to a defined temperature and holding for a certain time. This attempt opens new possibilities to investigate defined and comparable sample states by methods, which require extensive sample preparation, like TEM or 3DAP, and in-situ methods like DSC or XRD / EXAFS / SAXS at synchrotron beam lines.

Abstract: The present study deals with the effect of pre-deformation technique of AA2519 alloy (Al–5.64Cu–0.33Mn–0.23Mg–0.15Zr–0.11Ti–0.09V–0.08Fe–0.01Si (wt. %)) under T8 tempers, on condition that intermediate strains are equal. After undergoing T87 by pre-stretching and peak ageing the alloy demonstrates the yield stress, ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure of 425.4±2.4 MPa, 475±2.4 MPa, 12.1±0.4%, respectively. The 7% pre-straining by rolling leads to-5% decrease in yield stress, practically the same ultimate tensile strength and-20% decrease in ductility. This effect can be ascribed to more homogeneous distribution of dislocations which act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for the θ′-phase precipitation. In addition to precipitates of the Al–Cu family (θ′′ and θ′), Ω-phase plates on {111}_α habit plane was observed. The effect of pre-straining prior to ageing on the precipitation behavior and its relation with mechanical properties of the AA2519 is considered.

Abstract: Microstructure, precipitation behaviour and mechanical properties of an Al-5.64Cu-0.33Mn-0.23Mg-0.14Zr-0.11Ti (in wt. %) alloy subjected to thermomechanical processing (TMP) involving equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at ambient temperature to total strains (ε) of ~1 and ~2 followed by aging at 180°C for 0-28 h have been investigated and compared with conventional aging at the same temperature (T6 state). TMP led to significant increase in yield stress (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and decrease in elongation-to-fracture as compared to the peak-aged T6 state. The YS, UTS and δ values attained after ECAP to ε ~ 2 followed by peak ageing were ~510 MPa, ~540 MPa and ~7.6%, respectively. The changes in mechanical properties were related to microstructure evolution and precipitation behaviour. TMP conditions obtaining a high-strength state of the Al-Cu-Mg alloy are discussed.

Abstract: The Al-Cu-Mg alloys currently used at elevated temperature for aerospace applications, such as 2618 and 2219, were developed in the 1950s. Since then, not only have property requirements evolved significantly with the widespread introduction of damage tolerant design, but also the understanding and modelling capacity of the alloys' property-composition-processing relationships have developed beyond recognition. Moreover there is a renewed need for higher strength/toughness, higher temperature solutions in many aircraft's hot areas.A kinetic model has been developed to predict the strengthening capability and the thermal stability of hardening phases. It is based on a homogeneous nucleation, growth and coarsening model applied to S' (Al₂CuMg) and θ' (Al₂Cu); the yield strength is then calculated from the precipitates' size distribution. It suggests two areas of interest in the Al-Cu-Mg diagram.Three targeted compositions were then explored inside and outside the areas of interest and their thermal stability assessed up to 250°C. Different behaviours were observed and are explained by the strengthening potential and the coarsening resistance of S' and θ'. The two interesting areas for thermally stability are confirmed. An area of poorer thermal stability was also identified, associated with a high Cu content in solid solution which accelerates precipitate coarsening kinetics.

Abstract: The anelastic behavior of AA2024 alloy is studied in the temperature range between room temperature and 325 °C. The internal friction technique is shown to be very sensitive to the microstructural changes that take place at these temperatures. Interrupted aging performed at low temperature induces increase in the peak height at ~230 °C indicating the slow release of vacancies aiding the aggregation of Mg and Cu which further transforms into semicoherent precipitates. Stretched specimens indicate increase in background which is attributed to anelastic or viscoelastic of dislocations. TDIF of T6I4 samples is strongly affected to the point of deformation, whilst TDIF of T6I6 samples is affected by the deformation but irrespective to the point of deformation.

Abstract: This paper investigates a new method, the Levenberg-Marquardt method, to calculate the phase equilibria of the Al-Cu-Mg ternary alloys. The Levenberg-Marquardt method is the best algorithm to obtain the least-square solution of non-linear equations. Its application to ternary Al-Cu-Mg system is executed in detail in this paper. The calculated phase equilibria agrees well with the experimental results. Furthermore, the Levenberg-Marquardt method is not sensitive to the initial values.

Abstract: The precipitates of bending-age-formed ternary Al-4.31Cu-1.51Mg alloy were studied with load of 6.05 kg aged at 190°C. Transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction has been used to observe the microstructures of the bend-age-formed alloy. The results show that there is no preferential alignment of S phase or GPB zones in the alloys with load compared with that without load. It is interesting to find that the length of S phase is shorter in age-formed sample than that without load. Dislocations generated after loaded can provide enough nucleation sites for the nucleation and growth of S phase.

Abstract: The early age hardening behavior in Al-Cu-Mg alloys with fixed Cu content (0.50 wt%) and varying amounts of Mg has been studied by hardness tests and TEM observation. Two alloys both exhibit the early rapid hardening phenomenon based on large solute-aggregates analysis. Ageing time of early stage rapid hardening of Al-0.5Cu-1.99Mg alloys is less than that of Al-0.5Cu-1.48Mg alloys. For two alloys, ageing time of early stage rapid age hardening reduces with artificial ageing temperature increasing. The early stage rapid age hardening is depended on the composition and artificial ageing temperature. Forming larger solute-aggregates may give rise to early rapid age hardening.

Abstract: A comprehensive and systematic study using hardness, tensile test and Kahn tear test was undertaken to follow property development during the recently promoted interrupted ageing treatment. In contrast to the reported claims hardness remains lower than that of single stage heat treatment. Toughness does not improve substantially and deteriorates further as re-ageing time is prolonged. For most cases, the effect of interrupted ageing could not produce a simultaneous improvement in mechanical properties. TEM observations indicate the size and distribution co-existing S” and S phases upon re-ageing depend on interrupted condition.

Abstract: This work utilizes thermoelectric power (TEP) measurement to track secondary precipitation during the interrupted ageing cycle for AA2024 alloys as well as the subsequent re-ageing cycle. Clear evidences of secondary precipitation were observed which affect the further precipitation sequence during re-ageing. The TEM results confirm that S and S” phases co-exist upon re-ageing.