Effect of Homogenization Treatment on the Hardness and Electroconductivity of 7055 Alloy
Abstract:
The microstructures and properties of ultra high strength 7055 aluminum alloy at different homogenization treatment condition were studied bi hardness ( HB ) , electroconductivity ( δ ) measurement, optical metallography (OM) and XRD analysis. The results show that when homogenization temperature is below 400 ℃, the hardness of the alloy decreases but electro conductivity increases; When homogenization temperature is above 400 ℃, the HB of the alloy increases at beginning and then decreases, but the δ value of the alloy decreases. OM and XRD analysis shows that the change of hardness and electroconductivity of the alloy during homogenization is corresponding to the variety of the microstructures. When the alloy is homogenized below 400 ℃, the super saturated solid solution in as cast alloy decomposed and equilibrium phases, η and S precipitated at beginning, then re solutioned into the matrix again. The degree of supersaturation in the matrixes decreases insulted in the hardness decrease and δ value increase. When the alloy is homogenized above 400 ℃, the dentrite segregation is removed gradually. All the same time the equilibrium phases resolve into the solution matrixes, owing to the increase of degree of supersaturation, the hardness of the alloy increases, but the electro conductivity decreases. When the homogenization temperature increases further, more equilibrium phases are dissolved and the matrix, and the conductivity of the alloy decreases. To a more extent at the same time, the grain size grows up and hardness of the alloy decreases. Comprehensive analysis shows that the appropriated homogenization treatment processing should be at 450 ℃ for 24 h.