Utilization of Non-destructive Methods for Determining the Effect of Age-Hardening on Impact Toughness of 2024 Al–Cu–Mg Alloy

摘要

The aim of the study is to investigate the correlation between non-destructive measurements and impact toughness of 2024 Al-alloy. Following the solutionizing at 493 °C/1 h and water quench, the samples were aged at 190 °C for various periods between 0.5 h and 18 h. Hardness, impact toughness, sound velocity, and electrical conductivity were measured for each specimen group, and fracture surfaces were investigated by SEM. To focus on only the effect of precipitation, the process variables were minimized by preparing the samples from the same batch, and applying the identical procedure for solution heat treatment and quenching. Any cold deformation prior to aging of the samples was not applied. It has been concluded that sound velocity and electrical conductivity measurements are promising for the determination of variations in the impact toughness of the precipitation hardened 2024 Al-alloy.