Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of process conditions on the microstructual changes and mechanical properties of large 7175 aluminum die forgings. The cast billets of 370 and 720 mm in diameter were homogenized and die forged after direct chill casting. The size and volume fraction of second phase particles in 720 mm billet were larger than those of 370 mm billet. The interdendritic sites containing the second phase particles was considered to be a crack initiation region in the process of cold upsetting. The tensile and yield strength of die forged specimens of 720 mm billet in the direction of Land L T were higher than those of 370 mm billet. However, the tensile strength of these specimens were 5 to 10% lower than that of American military specification. The plane strain fracture toughness of die forged specimens of 370 mm cast billet showed almost the same level of 720 mm billet, which was die forged after free forging.