Formation of Microstructural Gradient of A2017 by RBT at Ambient Temperature

Abstract

Distribution of microstructure and hardness by RBT (Rotary Bending and Tensile) loading at ambient temperature is presented. Grain size is one of the important parameters of microstructures of alloys, and affects mechanical characteristics depending on deformation conditions. At higher temperatures, coarsening of grain size improves creep strength, while the finer improve tensile strength at ambient temperature. Grain size shows opposite effect on strength of alloys depending on temperatures and not always possible to improve strength both at ambient and high temperatures. Authors have attempted microstructural control by formation of distribution of plastic strain prior to heat treatment of aluminum alloys to obtain well-balanced strength both at high and ambient temperatures. In this report, distribution of grain size and hardness in 2017 aluminum by RBT loading are presented, and compared with results in 1070 reported previously. RBT loading equipment is designed for combined loading by rotary bending and static tensile loading to distribute plastic strain. In 2017 alloy, obtained microstructure after suitable heat treatment show distribution of hardness, while grain size show homogeneous distribution. The distributions, however, are different from that in 1070 alloy.