SEDL / STP / STP467-EB / STP26844S

Thermomechanical Processing and Fatigue of Aluminum Alloys

Ostermann, FG
Materials research engineers, Air Force Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

Reimann, WH
Materials research engineers, Air Force Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

Pages: 18    Published: Jan 1970

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Abstract

A review is made of the available information on thermomechanical processing of aluminum alloys, especially with respect to their fatigue behavior. An attempt is made to evaluate from the scarce and sometimes contradictory experimental evidence the possibility of improving the fatigue resistance of high-strength aluminum alloys by these treatments. To do so, it is also necessary to review the important microstructural features and deformation characteristics of these alloys, which seem to control the various stages of fatigue, and which may be influenced by the thermomechanical treatments. The discussion is limited to thermomechanical treatments subsequent to solution annealing. It is concluded that suitable processing offers the advantage of improving both strength and ductility in Al-Cu and Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys. If the effects of inclusions can be minimized, significant benefits are possible in fatigue, at least in Stage I crack resistance, by thermomechanical processing.