Effect of thermomechanical treatments on aging behavior and fracture toughness of al-cu-mg alloy plates used in aircraft structure

Abstract EN

The effects of variations in the thermomechanical treatments parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Cu-Mg alloy plates used in aircraft structure subjected to a post heat treatments have been conducted.

It was confirmed that a large gain in fracture toughness combined with a good mechanical properties could be achieved by choice of the correct initial condition, amount and temperature of deformation, and the time temperature of the final age hardening sequence.

In general, it was found that the material should be age hardened to the peak hardness conditions before deformation at an elevated temperature (warm rolling at 200 °C) in order to prompt homogeneous slip.

Room temperature deformation resulted in planar slip at the peak hardness conditions non uniform response on subsequent aging and give lower fracture toughness.