Effect of Aging on the Ballistic Performance of AA-7017 Alloy

This study presents the effect of aging on microstructure, texture, mechanical and ballistic properties of AA-7017 aluminium alloy. AA-7017 alloy is subjected to three different aging namely under-aging, peak-aging and over-aging. Significant difference is observed in the mechanical properties after aging. The alloy exhibits maximum strength and hardness in the peak-aged condition. From texture measurements, it is noticed that the overall intensity of orientation distribution function increases from under-aged to peak-aged condition. The AA-7017 aged plates are impacted with 7.62 mm steel core projectiles at 820 +/- 10 m/s to evaluate the ballistic performance. It is noticed that AA-7017 alloy displays best ballistic resistance in peak-aged condition. Distorted material flow lines and adiabatic shear band induced cracking is detected in post ballistic microstructure. The ballistic performance of AA-7017 alloy is correlated with the variations in the microstructure and mechanical properties with aging.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effect of aging on microstructure, texture, mechanical, and ballistic properties of AA-7017 aluminium alloy. The alloy undergoes three different aging treatments: under-aging, peak-aging, and over-aging. Aging significantly affects the mechanical properties, with the peak-aged condition displaying the highest strength and hardness. Texture measurements show an increase in the overall intensity of orientation distribution function from under-aged to peak-aged condition. The ballistic resistance of AA-7017 alloy is best in the peak-aged condition, and post ballistic microstructure analysis reveals distorted material flow lines and adiabatic shear band induced cracking.