Date of Award

2000

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Su-Seng Pang

Second Advisor

Reza A. Mirshams

Abstract

The focus of this research is to study the effects of deformation and aging on the yield behavior of precipitation-hardened Al-Cu-Li alloys, specifically AI-Cu-Li 2195 plate. Al-Cu-Li 2195 is a relatively new and exceptionally strong, yet lightweight aluminum alloy. Experimental methods applicable to mechanical/structural engineering and materials science problems provide the means for understanding the interrelation of deformation, microstructure, and crystal orientation (texture) as they affect the mechanical properties of crystalline materials. Yield strength is a vital mechanical property in that it defines the boundary of stress that may be applied to a part before a permanent, in some cases, detrimental shape change occurs. The values of yield strength often have directional characteristics, such that the values assessed depend on the direction of measurement. The major elements affecting yield and anisotropic nature of Al-Cu-Li materials are induced crystallographic texture from prior deformation such as rolling, elongated grain structure, and the presence of microscopic precipitates. In order to complete the understanding of how these aspects relate, it is intended to characterize the material and model the yield behavior of the material using theoretical techniques based on polycrystal plasticity. Numerous phenomenological yield expressions exist that describe 2- or 3-dimensional yield behavior (i.e., yield surface or yield locus) and recent advances in computational methods and computer resources have enabled the application of polycrystal yield definitions. Meanwhile, whereas the cumulative effects of precipitate state and crystallographic texture on mechanical behavior have been acknowledged, they have not been widely studied in a quantitative manner. Therefore the intent of this research is to determine the influence of the combination of microstructural effects such as texture (arising from prior deformation) and precipitates (formed during the process of aging) on anisotropy and yield strength of Al-Cu-Li 2195. Finally, the results will be used to discuss the microstructural relationship between characteristics of the alloy and their cumulative effects on material properties.

ISBN

9780599905825

Pages

91

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.7256

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