Post-Machining Deformations of Thin-Walled Elements Made of EN AW-2024 T351 Aluminum Alloy as Regards the Mechanical Properties of the Applied, Rolled Semi-Finished Products

Materials (Basel). 2021 Dec 10;14(24):7591. doi: 10.3390/ma14247591.

Abstract

The paper presents an evaluation of post-machining deformations of thin-walled elements as regards the mechanical properties of the applied, rolled semi-finished products. Nowadays, wrought aluminum alloys, supplied primarily in the form of rolled plates, are widely applied in the production of thin-walled integral parts. Considering the high requirements for materials, especially in the aviation sector, it is important to be aware of their mechanical properties and for semi-finished products delivered after plastic working to take into account the so-called "technological history" concerning, inter alia, the direction of rolling. The study focused on determining the influence of the ratio of the tension direction to the rolling direction on the selected mechanical properties of the EN AW-2024 T351 aluminum alloy depending on the sample thickness and its relation to the deformation of thin-walled parts. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the sample thickness and the ratio of the tension direction to the rolling direction affected the mechanical properties of the selected aluminum alloy, which in turn translated into post-machining deformations. Summarizing, the textured surface layer had a significant impact on the mentioned deformation. Greater deformations were noted for samples made of a semi-finished product with a thickness of 5 mm in comparison to 12 mm. It was the result of the influence of the surface layer, which at lower thickness had a higher percentage of contents than in thicker samples.

Keywords: aluminum alloy; deformation; mechanical properties; milling; semi-finished product; thin-walled elements.