The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

The influence of surface treatments on the fatigue properties of an Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr (8090) alloy

The influence of surface treatments on the fatigue properties of an Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr (8090) alloy
The influence of surface treatments on the fatigue properties of an Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr (8090) alloy

The requirement for improved materials for aerospace applications has led to the development of aluminium-lithium alloys with reduced density and higher stiffness when compared to conventional aluminium alloys. Due to the operating conditions encountered, the fatigue properties of any alloy are of paramount importance, such that control of the microstructure and surface finish to maximise fatigue resistance is required. In the present work the properties of the 8090 (Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr) alloy are studied, with particular emphasis on the fatigue properties after chromic acid anodising. For comparative purposes the conventional alloys 2014 (Al-Cu-Mg-Si) and 7010 (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr) are included. The microstructures of the alloys are characterised by means of optical and transmission electron microscopy. The fatigue performance is evaluated by means of rotating bend (R= -1) and tension - tension (R= 0.1) testing; the latter being carried out in conjunction with an acetate replication technique to monitor the initiation and early crack growth in the 8090 alloy. The anodic oxide films are examined by means of optical and scanning electron microscopy, together with chemical analysis by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the oxides are assessed using scratch adhesion tests and tensile fracture experiments. The fatigue results are discussed in terms of the microstructure of the alloys and the physical properties of the oxide films and their effect on the underlying substrate.

University of Southampton
Bolam, Vivienne Jane
Bolam, Vivienne Jane

Bolam, Vivienne Jane (1991) The influence of surface treatments on the fatigue properties of an Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr (8090) alloy. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

The requirement for improved materials for aerospace applications has led to the development of aluminium-lithium alloys with reduced density and higher stiffness when compared to conventional aluminium alloys. Due to the operating conditions encountered, the fatigue properties of any alloy are of paramount importance, such that control of the microstructure and surface finish to maximise fatigue resistance is required. In the present work the properties of the 8090 (Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr) alloy are studied, with particular emphasis on the fatigue properties after chromic acid anodising. For comparative purposes the conventional alloys 2014 (Al-Cu-Mg-Si) and 7010 (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr) are included. The microstructures of the alloys are characterised by means of optical and transmission electron microscopy. The fatigue performance is evaluated by means of rotating bend (R= -1) and tension - tension (R= 0.1) testing; the latter being carried out in conjunction with an acetate replication technique to monitor the initiation and early crack growth in the 8090 alloy. The anodic oxide films are examined by means of optical and scanning electron microscopy, together with chemical analysis by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the oxides are assessed using scratch adhesion tests and tensile fracture experiments. The fatigue results are discussed in terms of the microstructure of the alloys and the physical properties of the oxide films and their effect on the underlying substrate.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: 1991

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 461005
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/461005
PURE UUID: c57b95c7-9833-4970-959d-4e382eeee1e6

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 18:33
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 18:33

Export record

Contributors

Author: Vivienne Jane Bolam

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×