The effect of inhomogeneous microstructures on strength and stress corrosion cracking of 7085 aluminum alloy thick plate

Inhomogeneous microstructures and alloy chemistry along the thickness direction can greatly affect the mechanical and corrosion properties of new generation 7xxx aluminum alloy thick plates. The inhomogeneous microstructure, stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance and strength of AA7085 thick plate (160 mm) at T/2, T/4, and surface position using mechanical tests, double cantilever beam (DCB) crack extension tests and electron microscopy experiments. The results show that the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of the T/2 position are slightly lower than those of the surface position, but the SCC resistance of the T/2 position is significantly higher than that of the surface position. The reason is that larger discontinuously quench-induced grain boundary precipitates (Q-GBPs), and lower Zn and Mg elemental content of GBPs (including Q-GBPs and age-induced GBPs (A-GBPs)) and grain boundaries (GBs). Furthermore, it is newly found that the mechanical effects of larger-sized low aspect ratio unrecrystallized grains contribute significantly to the excellent SCC resistance of the T/2 position. The large size grain structure makes short-range SCC cracks along the large-angle GB more tortuous at T/2, improving the stress intensity required for sustained crack extension. In addition, the high GB triple junction deflection angle resulting from a low aspect ratio grain structure at T/2 improves the average driving force required for crack extension and drive force reduction after localized crack growth.