Electron Microscopic Investigation of Precipitation hardening and Plastic Deformation in Al - 3 . 4 % Cu Alloy
송진태 Jin Tae Song
Abstract
In order to study the agehardening and metallography of slip characteristics of the heat-treated aluminium-3.4% copper alloy, replica and transmission electron microscopy have been used. After the alloys have been aged at 220℃ and 250℃ they were stretched up to fracture. Their hardness showed single stage aging curve. The θ` phase and G. P. 2 zone were definite platelets and formed on the {100} matrix planes in a Widmansta¨tten pattern. Rough estimates were made on the yield strength of alloys containing intermediate θ` precipitates in the matrix, using a few models for the strength of precipitation-hardened alloys. Slip lines which were found in this experiment are the interpreted in terms of various theories appropriate to each one. It is clearly concluded that slip lines pass through the precipitate particles causing platelets in their path to deform and the age hardening of aluminium 3.4% copper alloy can be explained by considering the internal stress and the precipitate-matrix interfacial energy produced when a dislocation penetrates precipitates in the matrix.