Effect of cooling rate on microstructure, mechanical properties and residual stress of 7075 aluminum alloy

Abstract In this study, the effect of cooling rate on microstructure, mechanical properties and residual stress of 7075 aluminum alloy was investigated. The influence of cooling rate on microstructure, hardness, electrical conductivity of 7075 aluminum alloy was investigated using a Jominy end quench test. Water at three different temperatures (20 °C, 50 °C, 75 °C) and polymer solutions of varied concentrations (5vol.-% and 25vol.-%) were used as a quenching medium. The changes of hardness, electrical conductivity and microstructure properties of the specimens with an increase in distance from the quenched surface were investigated comparatively for different quenching mediums. Tensile tests were applied to determine the effect of the quenching rate on mechanical properties of the specimens. Residual stress was measured using the ESPI hole drilling technique to understand the influence of cooling rate. The results show that the cooling rate decreases as the distance from the quenched surface, water temperature and polymer concentration increases. The changes in material properties such as hardness, electrical conductivity along the material profile decrease as water temperature and polymer concentration increase. Although the hardness and mechanical properties of the material decrease as the cooling rate decreases, the values obtained are convenient for conditions of industrial usage. Residual stress was significantly eliminated by quenching in hot water or polymer solution at a high concentration.