Residual stress investigation of quenched and artificially aged aluminum alloy 7175

Residual stresses on aluminum parts can be modified during heat treatments. During solution heat treatment, quenching, and aging, metallurgical transformations combined with thermal gradients lead to a modification of parts properties. Quench and aging treatments sensitivity of AA 7175 aluminum alloy components is addressed in this work. Samples have been subjected to various quenching and aging treatments to verify the actual effect of the treatment parameters on their residual stresses. After a solution heat treatment, quenching has been performed in agitated and non-agitated water at room temperature, as well as at 67 degrees C. The effects of the aging treatment (T74) and stress relief treatment have also been studied. Residual stresses determined by the contour method are reported and it is found that for the specimens used in this work, quenching into agitated water had no significant effect while warm water quench, T74 aging, and stress relief treatments substantially reduce the residual stresses.

Automated summary

Residual stresses on aluminum parts can be modified during heat treatments. The study shows that warm water quenching, T74 aging, and stress relief treatments can substantially reduce the residual stresses in aluminum alloy components.