Retrogression And Re-aging Research Articles

Effects of Different Heat Treatments on Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance of Al-7.95Zn-1.84Mg-0.65Cu Aluminum Alloy

The effects of retrogression and re-aging(RRA) heat treatment on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Al-7.95Zn-1.84Mg-0.65Cu aluminum alloy were investigated by hardness and tensile tests, as well as intergranular corrosion and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the Al-7.95Zn-1.84Mg-0.65Cu alloy can obtain better hardness than the single-stage peak aging (T6) process after RRA process (120℃/24 h+200℃/10 min+120℃/24 h). At the same time, the tensile strength is 528.37 MPa, with 13.73% elongation and 29.4% increase in strong plastic product. The electrical conductivity is 40.47% IACS, the intergranular corrosion depth is only 59.43 μm, and the exfoliation corrosion grade is EA. The test results of transmission electron microscopy showed that the η' phase with larger size, greater strengthening effect and more obvious contrast is found in the alloy crystal after RRA treatment, and grain boundary precipitates (GBPs) become more discrete and coarser and precipitation-free precipitated zone (PFZ) becomes wider.

Effects of Retrogression Treatment Process on the Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behavior of the Graphene/7075 Aluminum Matrix Composite

The influence of various retrogression and re-ageing (RRA) treatment processes on the hardness, electrical conductivity and corrosion behavior of graphene/7075 aluminum matrix composite were investigated. The results showed that the hardness decreased swiftly at the initial stage and short time to peak value as the retrogression temperature (170 °C, 180 °C, 190 °C, 200 °C) rises. In the RRA 180 °C/120 min process, the electrical conductivity and peak-aging Brinell hardness were 37.9%IACS, 192.8. This RRA treatment possessed excellent pitting corrosion resistance, and the corresponding pitting potential (Epit), the passivation potential (Epit-Ecorr), the pitting corrosion current density (Logicorr) were -0.756V, 0.558V, -1.836A/cm2, respectively. This enhance can attribute that the continuous η phase distributed along the grain boundary became intermittent and coarse in the retrogression stage.

Effect of multi-stage aging treatments on the precipitation and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg alloys

The mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg alloys via multi-stage aging treatments were studied to explore the strength-toughness trade-off. The microstructures of aged alloys were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results indicated that large numbers of GP zones and some part of η′ phases were formed during the low-temperature (90 °C) aging at the third-stage aging, which consumed considerable solid solubility. This prevents fast growth and coarsening of precipitates at the fourth-stage aging (150 °C). Finally, the mixed precipitation state of mainly η′ phases and some η phases formed. The grain boundary phase grew insignificantly, which is beneficial to decrease the strength gap between intragranular and grain-boundary. The intragranular equilibrium η phase is beneficial to pin the movement of dislocation, which avoids fracture caused by accumulation of dislocations around the large second-phase and on the grain boundaries. Although the strength of materials decreased slightly, the impact toughness of materials significantly increased due to the positive effect of the intragranular equilibrium η phase. Compared with the conventional retrogression and re-aging (RRA) treatment (120 °C/24 h + 185 °C/105min + 120 °C/12 h), the designed four-stage ageing treatment (FSA) (120 °C/24 h + 185 °C/105min + 90 °C/12 h + 150 °C/12 h) resulted in the decrease of tensile strength and yield strength by only 3% and 4%, respectively, but contributed to the increases of elongation and impact toughness by 15% and 17%, respectively.

Electrochemical and Exfoliation Corrosion Behavior of Reversion-Treated High-Strength Aluminum Alloy

The present study aims to understand the microstructural modification affecting the electrochemical and exfoliation corrosion (EXCO) characteristics of aluminum alloy 7010. The alloy was aged for two different tempers, namely peak aging (T6) and retrogression and re-aging (RRA). The standard electrochemical polarization tests and EXCO tests were performed on the treated alloys. The microstructure of the alloy observed under a scanning transmission electron microscope revealed the presence of continuous grain boundary precipitates in T6 alloy. These precipitates were formed discontinuously after RRA treatment. The RRA alloy microstructure resulted in a shift toward positive potential. The exfoliation corrosion depth was reduced to 60–70 μm after RRA treatment, which was measured to be about 250 μm in T6 condition. The resistance toward the exfoliation corrosion was found to be influenced by the enriched Cu content of precipitates on grain boundary after reversion treatment. The results confirm that the RRA-tempered alloy improves both electrochemical corrosion and EXCO resistance.

Effect of different aging treatment on high temperature properties of die-forged Al-5.87Zn-2.07Mg-2.42Cu alloy

High temperature tensile test over the temperature range from 100 °C to 250 °C of die forged Al-5.87Zn-2.07Mg-2.42Cu alloy were carried out and the effect of aging treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of alloy were studied. The strength of alloys processed with peak aged (T6), over aged (T73) and retrogression and re-aging (RRA) treatment suffered from different extent of decreasing for the increase of the stretching temperature. Among them, the RRA alloy has the most obvious drop in tensile strength, which has dropped from 615 MPa to 268 MPa with temperature rising from room temperature to 250 °C. While T6 and T73 alloys drop by 338 MPa and 333 MPa, respectively. With the increase of test temperature, the coarsening rate of precipitates in RRA sample is faster than that of T6 and T73, resulting in more significant decrease in the high temperature strength. The T73 sample exhibits good stability of high temperature mechanical properties, due to the slowing coarsen rate of precipitates.

Effect of retrogression treatments on microstructure, hardness and corrosion behaviors of aluminum alloy 7085

The microstructure, hardness and corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy 7085 after different retrogression and re-aging (RRA) treatments were investigated. The results showed that the properties of alloy 7085 are sensitive to the temperature and dwell time of the retrogression treatment. Desirable mechanical property and corrosion resistance can be obtained for the alloy pre-aged at 120 °C for 24 h, followed by a retrogression at 160 °C for 1.5 h and re-aging at 120 °C for 24 h. After the optimized RRA treatment, the hardness of alloy 7085 is improved by 10.2% as compared with the peak-aged one, which is mainly due to the distribution of dispersed rod-like η′ precipitates in the matrix; while the improved corrosion resistance is mainly attributed to the discrete and coarse η phase with higher Cu content, and narrow precipitate-free zone about 45–50 nm in width along the grain boundaries.

Effects of multi-stage aging treatments on the precipitation behavior and properties of 7136 aluminum alloy

The solutionized 7136 Al alloy was heat treated by one-step aging, two-step aging, retrogression and re-aging (RRA) and RRA plus further aging treatment, respectively. The influences of different aging treatments on the precipitation behavior, electrical conductivity and tensile properties were investigated. The results showed that one-step aging treatment forms continuous grain boundary precipitates (GBPs), coherent Guinier-Preston (GP) zone and semi-coherent η’ grain interior precipitates (GIPs). By two-step aging treatment, the GIPs are coarsened and partly transformed into incoherent η phase, which result in a reduction of strength but an enhancement of ductility and electrical conductivity. RRA treatment makes the GBPs to be discontinuous and forms precipitates free zone (PFZ) near grain boundary. The RRA alloy shows similar strength but higher electrical conductivity in comparison with one-step aging. When the RRA alloy further aged at 160 °C, the strength keeps almost constant until 10 h, while the electrical conductivity is increased with increasing aging time. The PFZ is widened and the GIPs become coarser by further aging at high temperature. By contrast, the PFZ is eliminated, accompanying with the formation of GP(II) as further aged at low temperature of 70 °C, therefore a higher strength and lower electrical conductivity are obtained.

Effect of extrusion ratio on the microstructure and property of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy prepared by spray conform

The commercial Al-5.72Zn-2.36Mg-1.66Cu (7075) alloys were prepared by the spray Conform (SC) technique consisting of the spray forming and Conform extrusion. The extrusion ratio (ER) was selected as the variable parameter to study the influence mechanism on the microstructures and properties while keeping the other parameters unchanged. The microstructures and properties were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and tensile tests. Concretely, the changing rules of the grains, second phases, tensile strength and elongation with ER were researched respectively. Results indicate that a fine equiaxed grain microstructure with low level of segregation and porosity was achieved by SC. And the intergranular and intragranular phases were fine and homogeneous before and after retrogression and re-aging (RRA). The dispersion and tensile strength are positive to ER, but the grain size (GS) is inverse. Meanwhile, the elongation increases firstly and then decreases with increasing ER.

The effect of retrogression and re‐aging treatment on mechanical and tribological features of AA7075 aluminium alloy

AbstractIn this study, T651‐applied AA7075 alloy was subjected to retrogression and re‐aging (RRA) process. Various retrogression temperatures (180 °C, 280 °C, 370 °C) and times (15 min, 30 min, 90 min) were used to determine the effects of temperature and time on the mechanical and tribological properties of the AA7075 alloy. All re‐aging stages were performed at 120 °C for 24 hours. Retrogression and re‐aging‐applied specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, x‐ray diffraction, Charpy V‐notch impact and tensile tests. Brinell hardness measurements and ball‐on‐disc type tribometer measurements by using AISI 316 ball as a counterpart have also been conducted. Grain boundary precipitates in the T651‐applied specimen was transformed from continuous to the discontinuous structure after retrogression and re‐aging process. Continuous MgZn2 precipitates at grain boundaries were disintegrated and re‐precipitated along the grain boundaries. The sizes of intragranular precipitates have become coarsened by comparison with the T651 condition. Hardness, tensile strength and wear resistance were decreased whereas impact toughness values were increased with increasing retrogression temperature and time. The best wear resistance was obtained in the sample treated at 180 °C for 15 minutes.

Effect of Local Postweld Heat Treatments on Metal Inert Gas-Welded A7N01S-T5 Joints

T6, T7, and retrogression and reaging (RRA) postweld heat treatments (PWHTs) were redefined and deployed to restore MIG-welded A7N01-T5 aluminum alloy joints in train-body structures using an inductive heating device. After the PWHT, the microstructures and mechanical properties of the joints were studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the hardness and strength of the joints were improved by the T6 treatment, and the tensile strength of the joints reached 87.39% of the base metal. However, an improvement in the corrosion resistance was not observed. The T7-treated joints enhanced the toughness of the welded joints and improved their corrosion resistance. The RRA-treated joints improved the toughness and corrosion resistance and increased the strength and hardness. The RRA treatment had a more comprehensive effect on the improvement of the welded joint structure and performance and is more suitable for postweld heat treatment of the aluminum alloy welded joints in the body of high-speed trains.

Effect of ageing treatment on fatigue crack growth of die forged Al-5.87Zn-2.07Mg-2.42Cu alloy

The fatigue-crack growth of the die-forged Al-5.87Zn-2.07Mg-2.42Cu alloy at different ageing conditions: peak aged (T6), over aged (T73) and retrogression and re-ageing (RRA), has been examined in the study. The RRA alloy has the highest resistance to fatigue crack initiation. With increasing stress intensity range (Δk), the T73 sample has the largest expansion rate and it is the smallest for the RRA sample. In the second stage of crack propagation, the crack-growth rate is the largest for the T6 specimen and smallest for the RRA specimen. The crack propagation mode of the alloy in different ageing conditions is mainly based on transgranular expansion. Intergranular expansion was also observed in the T73 state and significant secondary cracks were observed in the RRA sample.

Effect of different heat treatments and varying volume fraction of nano-Al2O3 particles on the hardness and wear resistance of Al 7150 alloy matrix composite synthesized by hot uniaxial compaction technique

The effect of three types of heat treatment and the addition of varying volume fraction of nano-Al2O3 particles on the hardness and wear resistance of Al 7150 alloy matrix composite produced by hot uniaxial compaction technique was investigated. Initially the Al 7150 alloy was synthesized from elemental powders (Al–88.265%, Cr–0.04%, Cu–2.3%, Fe–0.15%, Mg–2.35%, Mn–0.1%, Si–0.12%, Ti–0.06%, Zn–6.5%, Zr–0.115%) using planetary ball milling process. The Al 7150 alloy powders were later blended with varying volume fraction (0, 5, 10 and 15%) of nano-Al2O3 (40–50 nm) particles. The blended Al 7150 alloy composite powders were hot pressed at 400 °C. The compaction pressure was 500 MPa with a compaction time of 1 h before ejection. The hot compacted samples were later subjected to three types of heat treatment processes viz. T6, HTPP and RRA (retrogression and reaging). The microhardness (VHN) of the hot compacted samples increased with the increase in the addition of nano-ceramic particles. The VHN test results of the aged (T6, HTPP andRRA) samples showed higher hardness and the improvement in hardness was 44.11% for T6 sample when compared to the non-aged sample. XRD analysis revealed the occurrence of the stable MgZn2 precipitate phase, which played a significant role in the enhancement of its hardness and wear resistance. The wear behavior of the non-aged and aged samples was analyzed using a pin on disc wear testing machine. The wear test results demonstrated a tremendous enhancement of wear resistance of the T6 aged samples followed by RRA and HTPP treated samples compared to the non-aged samples. Wear surface morphology was studied using FESEM analysis to determine the wear mechanism.

Effects of retrogression and reaging heat treatment on the microstructure, exfoliation corrosion, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties of AA7050

AbstractThe effects of different retrogression times and temperatures on the microstructure, electrical conductivity, exfoliation corrosion (EXCO), and hardness of the 7050 aluminium alloy were compared with the T6 and T7451 condition. The EXCO solution was prepared in accordance with ASTM G34‐01 standard and the samples were kept in the solution for 48 hr. Corrosion depths were examined by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the cross‐sections microstructure of the samples. The effect of EXCO on the material was investigated using stereo optical microscope images. In microstructure investigations, SEM and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analyses were used to determine the distribution and chemistry of the precipitates at the grain boundaries. The results show that retrogression and reaging (RRA) times and temperatures have significant effects on AA7050 EXCO. Especially after 200°C/30 min RRA process, it has been found that 7050 aluminium alloy has higher mechanical strength than T6 level and high corrosion resistance from T7451 level. According to the results of this study, it has been shown that there is a direct connection between electrical conductivity and EXCO.

Effect of Heat and Mechanical Treatments on Mechanical Properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloys

In this research the effect of various heat treatments on tensile properties and hardness of Aluminum-Zinc-Magnesium-Copper alloy (7075 Aluminum alloy) was studied, with and without mechanical treatment by extrusion process. The 7075 alloy samples were submitted to two type of heat treatments, T6 heat treatment by artificial ageing samples in 120 ºC for 24 h and retrogression and re-ageing (RRA). Where in RRA treatment the first ageing done in 120 ºC for 24 h, then the retrogression done in 180 ºC for 30 min and re-ageing in 120 ºC for 24 h. We got the best results by apply the RRA treatment with extrusion process, where tensile strength was reached to 380 Mpa without extrusion machining process, while reached to 530 Mpa with extrusion process

Optimization of Heat Treatment Cycles and Characterization of Aluminum Alloy AA7010

Multistage retrogression and reaging (RRA) heat treatment has been carried out on aluminum alloy AA7010. Each of the heat treatment steps for this alloy has been optimized on the basis of preliminary hardness and electrical conductivity measurements. These values were found to be a function of precipitate morphology and distribution. Samples were solution-treated (ST) with three different temperatures and quenching media, further aged at fixed temperature (120 °C) with time ranging from 24 to 120 h. Retrogression and reaging is done at 180-240 °C (for time duration of 2-60 min) and 120 °C (for 24-90 h), respectively. ST at 480 °C followed by warm water quenching (70 °C), aging cycle for T6 and T73 condition: 120 °C/42 h and 170 °C/128 h were found to be optimum. The optimum RRA conditions were achieved at retrogression parameters of 200 °C for 60 min and 240 °C for 60 min along with aging parameters of 120 °C/30 h and 120 °C/36 h, respectively. TEM images showed the presence of uniformly distributed precipitates in the matrix in RRA conditions. Statistical distribution of precipitates showed higher frequency of precipitates for RRA with optimized conditions RA1 (120 °C for 42 h + 200 °C for 60 min + 120 °C for 30 h) and RA2 (120 °C for 42 h + 240 °C for 60 min + 120 °C for 36 h).

Influence of retrogression and re-ageing heat treatment on the fatigue crack growth behavior of 7010 aluminum alloy

Aluminum alloys are widely used in aircraft structural components where light weight, high strength and good corrosion resistance are the primary requirements. These alloys are generally used in peak-aged (T6) condition in which they are susceptible for stress corrosion cracking. In the recent years, retrogression and re-ageing (RRA) treatment on aluminum alloy is carried out to enhance their corrosion resistance maintaining the ultimate tensile strength. The aim of this work was to study the influence of RRA treatment on the fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) behavior. The 7010 aluminum alloy was heat treated to two different conditions i.e., T6 and RRA. The microstructures of these alloys were characterized by using TEM. Standard compact tension (CT) specimens were prepared and FCGR tests were carried out by using a 100 kN servo-hydraulic test machine as per ASTM E647-15e1. The constant amplitude FCGR tests were carried out at a stress ratio, R = 0.5 using sine wave loading pattern at 10 Hz. Crack length was monitored by following compliance technique. Microstructural studies show that RRA treated alloy contain fine and densely populated precipitates in the matrix along with coarse and discontinuous precipitates in the grain boundary. The fatigue crack growth rate was observed to reduce along with an increase in the threshold stress intensity factor range (ΔKth) for RRA treated alloy compared to the T6 alloy. The mechanisms for reduction in fatigue crack growth rate of RRA treated alloy is attributed to the microstructural modifications. The increased resistance is expected to enhance the damage tolerance capability of the alloy.

Improved fatigue crack growth resistance by retrogression and re‐aging heat treatment in 7010 aluminum alloy

AbstractAircraft grade 7010 aluminum alloy was heat treated to two different conditions: (1) standard peak aging (T6) and (2) retrogression and re‐aging (RRA). The microstructures of these alloys were characterized by using transmission electron microscope. Fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) tests were conducted using standard compact tension specimens, following ASTM standards. Tests were conducted at various stress ratios, R ranging from 0.1 to 0.7. The RRA‐treated alloy was observed to contain coarsened η′ (MgZn2) precipitates with higher inter‐particle spacing when compared with T6‐treated alloy. The grain boundary precipitates (GBPs) were also coarsened and discontinuous in RRA‐treated alloy as compared with continuous GBPs in T6 condition. The FCGR was lower and ΔKth was higher in RRA‐treated alloy compared with T6‐treated alloy at all the stress ratios investigated. Improved fatigue crack growth resistance in RRA‐treated alloy was correlated to the modified microstructure and enhanced crack closure levels.

Study on Corrosion Behavior of 7075 Aluminum Alloy with Retrogression and Reaging Using Taguchi Method

The corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of 7075 aluminum alloy are improved by retrogression and reaging (RRA) heat treatment. Due to the complex process of RRA heat treatment, a Taguchi L25 orthogonal array is designed to optimize the process parameters of RRA heat treatment. In this work, analysis of variance was performed to find out the significant heat treatment parameters. Microstructure, mechanical properties, intergranular corrosion, exfoliation corrosion and stress corrosion cracking behaviors of 7075 aluminum alloy after RRA heat treatment were investigated by tensile test, slow strain rate test, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. Results showed that the RRA treatment involving preaging at 120 °C for 16 h, retrogression at 200 °C for 8 min and reaging at 120 °C for 24 h resulted in a desired combination of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.

Effects of Aging Treatment on Intergranular Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking Behavior of AA7003

In order to study the effects of aging treatment on the intergranular corrosion (IGC) and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of 7003 aluminum alloy (AA7003), the intergranular corrosion test, electrochemical test and slow strain rate test (SSRT), combined with optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations have been carried out. The IGC and electrochemical test results showed that the IGC resistance of AA7003 for peak aged (PA) temper is the lowest, with double peak aged (DPA) the moderate, and retrogression and re-aging (RRA) the highest among three tempers, which is attributed to the continuous feature of precipitation on grain boundary of PA temper and the interrupted feature of precipitation on grain boundary of DPA and RRA tempers, as well as the wide precipitation free zones (PFZ) of RRA temper. In addition, the SSRT results indicated that all three tempers AA7003 are susceptible to SCC in IGC solution, and the change tendency of SCC susceptibility (ISCC) of AA7003 for three tempers follows the order: ISCC(RRA)<ISCC(DPA)<ISCC(PA).

Microstructure and mechanical properties of 7075 alloy during laser heat treatment

Influence of retrogression and re-aging (RRA) and laser retrogression and re-aging (LRRA) treatment on the microstructure, fracture surface and mechanical properties of 7075 alloy has been investigated. The results show that LRRA (650 W) can increase the hardness, wear resistance and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 7075 alloy. The maximum hardness is 181.2 HBW and the maximum UTS is 552.2 MPa. Although the change of elongation is less, the elongation of LRRA samples is higher than that of RRA sample. The small size of shallow dimples can increase the strength of the 7075 alloy. The mechanical properties of RRA sample is lower than that of LRRA (650 W) sample. There are many fine and homogenously distributed precipitates in the matrix after LRRA (650 W) treatment. The size of MPts is about 20 nm. The strength of 7075 alloy can be increased by fine and homogenously distributed precipitates.