Publication

Abstract : pAluminium alloys are increasingly being used in the manufacture of structures of airplanes and automobiles due to their superior properties such as high strength to weight ratio and excellent mechanical properties. AA7010 Al alloy is a 7xxx series alloy that is mainly used in the aircraft industries. Al 7010 is said to have high tensile strength as well as high fatigue strength. It is also stress corrosion resistant. However due to exposure to extreme marine and industrial environments, the metal may be subjected to corrosion such as exfoliation corrosion. Exfoliation is a special form of intergranular corrosion that proceeds laterally from the sites of initiation along planes parallel to the surface, generally at grain boundaries, forming corrosion products that force metal away from the body of the material, giving rise to a layered appearance. Exfoliation corrosion may cause heavy damage to aircrafts in the long run. In the present work, the test has been conducted on A17010 samples for the determination of rate and extent of exfoliation corrosion by subjecting them to artificial corrosive conditions that mimic the actual marine and industrial environments. The samples are heat treated to T6 and T7 tempers prior subjecting them to the corrosive environments, as most of the aircraft materials are subjected to T6 and T7 tempers to enhance the properties before being put to commercial use. Samples are tested according to ASTM G34 and rated by comparing them with standard photographs. Also electrical conductivity tests on the samples have been carried out which reveals that the electrical conductivity of the Al 7010 alloy increases upon heat treatment./p