M. Maniruzzaman, C. Nowill, R. D. Sisson, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA; D. S. MacKenzie, Houghton International, Inc., Valley Forge, PA
The 7136 wrought aluminum alloy is an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy, primarily used in the aerospace industry as structural components. This alloy is strengthened primarily by age-hardening. Limited data for the aging kinetics of this alloy is available in the literature. A series of Jominy end-quench tests were performed to investigate the effect of solutionizing temperature and cooling rate on the aging performance of the alloy. The process variables used in the study are solutionizing temperature and aging time. Quench factor analysis (QFA) has successfully been used over the years by various researchers to predict the physical properties of age-hardenable aluminum alloys. In this study, the Jominy end–quench data is used to determine the kinetic parameters for QFA. Time-temperature-property or “C” curve is also presented for this alloy.
Summary: The 7136 wrought aluminum alloy is an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy, primarily used in the aerospace industry as structural components. This alloy is strengthened primarily by age-hardening. Limited data for the aging kinetics of this alloy is available in the literature. A series of Jominy end-quench tests were performed to investigate the effect of solutionizing temperature and cooling rate on the aging performance of the alloy. The process variables used in the study are solutionizing temperature and aging time. Quench factor analysis (QFA) has successfully been used over the years by various researchers to predict the physical properties of age-hardenable aluminum alloys. In this study, the Jominy end–quench data is used to determine the kinetic parameters for QFA. Time-temperature-property or “C” curve is also presented for this alloy.
