Residual stresses and cracks in forgings of heat-treatable aluminium alloys

Abstract

The heat treatment of the heat-treatable aluminium alloy forgings includes cooling from the solutionising temperature. After heat treatment, residual stresses remain in the forging, which are due to temperature gradients during cooling. The effect of these residual stresses on the forging properties can be significantly influenced by other technological operations, including artificial aging, machining, and surface treatments. The influence of the surrounding environment can also play an important role. Because in connection with the residual stresses after heat treatment we often encounter cracks in forgings, this paper is devoted to an overview of factors that influence cracks. The typical examples of damaged forgings are discussed and explained the circumstances that caused cracks under the influence of residual stresses.