Abstract
7XXX series aluminum alloys (Al 7XXX alloys) are widely used in bearing components, such as aircraft frame, spars and stringers, for their high specific strength, high specific stiffness, high toughness, excellent processing, and welding performance. Therefore, Al 7XXX alloys are the most important structural materials in aviation. In this present review, the development tendency and the main applications of Al 7XXX alloys for aircraft structures are introduced, and the existing problems are simply discussed. Also, the heat treatment processes for improving the properties are compared and analyzed. It is the most important measures that optimizing alloy composition and improving heat treatment process are to enhance the comprehensive properties of Al 7XXX alloys. Among the method, solid solution, quenching, and aging of Al 7XXX alloys are the most significant. We introduce the effects of the three methods on the properties, and forecast the development direction of the properties, compositions, and heat treatments and the solution to the corrosion prediction problem for the next generation of Al 7XXX alloys for aircraft structures. The next generation of Al 7XXX alloys should be higher strength, higher toughness, higher damage tolerance, higher hardenability, and better corrosion resistance. It is urgent requirements to develop or invent new heat treatment regime. We should construct a novel corrosion prediction model for Al 7XXX alloys via confirming the surface corrosion environments and selecting the accurate and reliable electrochemical measurements.
Highlights
With the development of modern technology, all walks of life have set off a wave of lightweight materials [1], especially in the aerospace and automotive fields
The proportion of titanium alloys and composite materials has increased in newly developed aircraft, the use of high-strength aluminum alloys still accounts for a large proportion, which makes it indispensable in the aerospace field [8]
The stress corrosion resistance and fracture toughness of Al 7085 alloy component are equivalent to Al 7050 alloy, but its strength can be increased by 15%, and its maximum thickness is up to 305 mm
Summary
With the development of modern technology, all walks of life have set off a wave of lightweight materials [1], especially in the aerospace and automotive fields. At the end of the 1990s, the United States, Japan, and other nations developed a new generation of ultra-high-strength aluminum alloys with the Zn content of more than 8 wt %, the tensile strength of 760-810 MPa, and the elongation of 8–13% by using spray forming technology. It was used for manufacturing structural parts in transportation and other high-stress structural parts that required high strength and resistance to stress corrosion. Through adjusting the composition of the alloy, the Al 7085 alloy was born to satisfy the needs of strength, quench sensitivity, fatigue performance, and stress corrosion resistance to meet the development of the aviation industry and the urgent needs of the large aircraft industry
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