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Grain Refinement in 7050 Aluminum Alloy

This document presents research on the effects of grain refining and heat treatment on the hardening of 7050 aluminum alloy, highlighting the role of Al-5%Ti-1%B grain refiner in improving microstructure and properties. The study found a significant correlation between boron addition, holding time before pouring, and the resulting microstructure and hardening of the alloy. Results indicate that grain refinement enhances mechanical properties, making 7050 a preferred choice in aerospace applications due to its strength and corrosion resistance.

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Prof. M. El-Shennawy
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13 views1 page

Grain Refinement in 7050 Aluminum Alloy

This document presents research on the effects of grain refining and heat treatment on the hardening of 7050 aluminum alloy, highlighting the role of Al-5%Ti-1%B grain refiner in improving microstructure and properties. The study found a significant correlation between boron addition, holding time before pouring, and the resulting microstructure and hardening of the alloy. Results indicate that grain refinement enhances mechanical properties, making 7050 a preferred choice in aerospace applications due to its strength and corrosion resistance.

Uploaded by

Prof. M. El-Shennawy
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Proceedings of the ninth Cairo University International Conference on Mechanical Design and Production (MDP-9),

Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 8-10, 2008.

EFFECT OF GRAIN REFINING AND HEAT TREATMENT ON THE


HARDENING OF 7050 ALUMINUM ALLOY

M.I. Masoud* and El-Shennawy, M.**

*,**Assistant Professor Industrial Engineering Department,


Faculty of Engineering, Fayoum University
ibrahim_64@[Link], moha_111@[Link]

ABSTRACT

Grain refinement plays a vital role in improving the characteristics and properties of 7xxx
aluminum alloys. Generally, Al-Ti-B and Al Ti master alloys are added to refine the solidified
aluminum alloys. The influence of Al-5%Ti-1%B grain refiner content and holding time in
the furnace before pouring on the microstructure and the properties of 7050 aluminum alloy
was studied in this research work. The effect of aging time after solution treatment on the
microstructure and hardening of the alloy was investigated and discussed. The grain shape
changed from dendritic to fine equaxied structure by the effect of Boron addition, in the same
time the grain size reveled a remarkable decrease. An excellent correlation was found
between the Boron addition at different holding time before pouring and the microstructure
and hardening of 7050 aluminum alloy at different aging times. These results in a good
agreement with the results of impact and tensile tests.

KEYWORDS

7050 aluminum alloys, grain refining, heat treatment, precipitation hardening, microstructure.

1. ITRODUCTION

Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys (7xxx series) are used extensively in the aerospace industry owing to
their good mechanical properties. It is often requires to modify alloy composition, add
different grain refining elements to achieve fine microstructures.[1-2] Alloy 7050 is the
premier choice for aerospace applications requiring the best combination of strength, stress
corrosion cracking resistance and toughness. Alloy 7050 exhibits better toughness/corrosion
resistance characteristics than alloy 7075. Because it is less quench sensitive than most
aerospace aluminum alloys, 7050 retains its strength properties in thicker sections while
maintaining good stress corrosion cracking resistance and fracture toughness levels[1-2]. It
has been postulated that the mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys should be sensitive
to matrix microstructure[3-4].
Grain refinement plays a vital role in cast and wrought aluminum alloys.[1] Grain refinement
is achieved through the addition of Al-Ti and/or Al-5%Ti-1%B master alloys. The addition
rate is 1kg/1000 kg giving Ti and B additions of 0.005% and 0.001% respectively. When Al-
Ti-B master alloy is added so that titanium is present at hypoperitectic levels (< 0.15%Ti)
often boride particles or boride agglomerates are found in the centers of grains, with titanium
enriched dendrites growing that borides nucleate -Al. But borides were thought to be poor
nucleants or at least not as effective as TiAl3. Borides get pushed to the grain boundaries and
no grain refinement is observed if no solute titanium is present. In this research work Al-

1075

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