Modelling mechanical properties for non-hardenable aluminium alloys

Abstract

A range of mechanical properties have been investigated for non-hardenable aluminium alloys. Commercially pure aluminium, Al–Mn, and Al–Mg alloys in five tempers have been covered. In the models solid solution, particle strengthening and work hardening have been taken into account. Ab-initio calculations of the size and modulus misfit parameters that are needed in the solid solution hardening model have been performed. In accordance with the Labusch–Nabarro model, the solid solution hardening has been shown to be proportional to ε L 4 / 3 c 2 / 3 , where ε L is the Fleischer misfit parameter and c the solute concentration. A cold work parameter H has been introduced. The contribution from cold working is linear in H for the tensile strength and fatigue endurance, whereas the contributions to the yield strength and to the hardness are proportional to H 0.5.