The effect of large zirconium additions to a 5754 alloy

摘要

Two heats of aluminum alloys were made with a composition typical for a 5754 alloy plus the addition of approximately 0.3 and 0.5 wt. percent zirconium. Microstructures were examined for recrystallization temperatures that ranged from 250 deg C to 550 deg C in 50 deg C increments. Hardness was measured for each of the recrystallization temperatures investigated. Aging characteristics were determined for both alloys, although only the alloy containing the highest zirconium showed any type of effect. Mechanical properties including strain-life fatigue were determined for both alloys, which were recrystallized at 550 deg C. Mechanical properties were compared to a 5754 alloy that contained 0.46 wt. percent scandium.