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The role of microstructure in hydrogen-assisted fracture of 7075 aluminum

  • Mechanical Behavior
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Abstract

Underaged, peak strength (T6), and overaged (T73) microstructures were studied in 7075 plate material. Hydrogen charged and uncharged tensile specimens of longitudinal orientation were tested between −196°C and room temperature. The results confirm a hydrogen embrittlement effect, manifested mainly in the temperature dependence of the reduction of area loss; a classical behavior of hydrogen embrittlement. The maximum embrittlement shifted to lower temperatures with further aging. The effect of hydrogen was largest for the underaged condition and smallest for the overaged, thus following the pattern found for the sensitivity to stress-corrosion cracking in high strength aluminum alloys. The fracture path was predominantly transgranular, with minor amounts of intergranular fracture.

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Author notes

  1. J. Albrecht

    Present address: Brown-Boveri Research Center, CH 5401, Baden, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Carnegie-Mellon University, 15213, Pittsburgh, PA

    A. W. Thompson (Professor) & I. M. Bernstein (Professor)

Authors
  1. J. Albrecht
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  2. A. W. Thompson
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  3. I. M. Bernstein
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Additional information

J. ALBRECHT, formerly with the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Carnegie-Mellon University

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Albrecht, J., Thompson, A.W. & Bernstein, I.M. The role of microstructure in hydrogen-assisted fracture of 7075 aluminum. Metall Trans A 10, 1759–1766 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02811712

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