Characterisation of aluminium armour alloy AA7017-T651

Shapcott, Stephen (2015). Characterisation of aluminium armour alloy AA7017-T651. University of Birmingham. M.Res.

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Abstract

High strength 7xxx series Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys are widely used in the aerospace Industry due to their high strength to weight ratios. The high yield strength of alloys such as AA7075 or AA7074 is achieved through precipitation hardening, the highest of which can be in excess of 600MPa and are achieved through the addition of Cu. There is however a medium strength group of alloys in the 7xxx series which are characterised by their low copper levels maintained below 0.3wt% in order to prevent liquation cracking and hence allow them to be welded.
These medium strength Al-Zn-Mg(-Cu) alloys are mostly found in light weight armoured vehicles due to their weldability, low density and good ballistic performance. There is however very little published on the corrosion characteristics of these alloys and the little that exists is confined to studies of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and weld fatigue. This work will attempt to understand the general corrosion characteristics of this alloy under free corrosion conditions and to establish in the literature the microstructure, particularly with regard the nature of the coarse intermetallics.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Res.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Res.

Supervisor(s):