The stress corrosion cracking behaviour of heat‐treated Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy in modified salt spray fog testing

Abstract

AbstractThe stress corrosion cracking behaviour of 7075 (Al–Zn–Mg–Cu) alloy have been studied in a salt spray fog chamber with two vapourised aqueous solutions (0 and 5% NaCl). The paper analyses the stress corrosion resistance of 7075 aluminium alloy with several precipitation‐ageing heat treatments. The results are compared with that obtained in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution at 20 °C. The salt spray fog testing has permitted a good evaluation of SCC susceptibility in 7075 alloy. All temper conditions studied were susceptible to SCC in the different environments tested. 7075‐T6 temper was the most susceptible, while in all the cases studied 7075‐T73 temper was the least susceptible. Compared to 7075‐T6, 7075‐RRA temper improved the resistance against the SCC process, but the mechanical properties obtained were lower.