The influences of multiscale-sized second-phase particles on ductility of aged aluminum alloys

Abstract

Commercially aged aluminum alloys commonly contain second-phase particles of three class sizes, and all contribute appreciably to the mechanical properties observed at the macroscopic scale. In this article, a multiscale model was constructed to describe the individual and coupling influences of the three types of second-phase particles on tensile ductility. The nonlinear relationships between the parameters of particles, including volume fraction, size, aspect ratio, shape, and ductility, were then quantitatively established and experimentally validated by the measured results from disc-shaped precipitate containing Al-Cu-Mg alloys and needle-shaped precipitate containing Al-Mg-Si alloys, as well as by using other researchers’ previously published results. In addition, we discuss extending this model to predict the fracture toughness of aluminum alloys.