Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Extruded Al 7050 Billet and Ring Forged One with Large Scale

The manufacturing process of large scaled Al 7050 alloy is difficult for the occurrence of solidification crack during casting. The aims of this study are the evaluations of microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded Al 7050 billet and ring forged one with large scale. Large scaled Al 7050 billet was casted by direct-chill casting process. The extruded and ring forged specimens were prepared from the casted ingot after residual stress relief and homogenization heat treatment, respectively. Microstructures, hardness and tensile test of the surface, middle and center part of each specimen were performed at room temperature. Sheared and elongated type grains were observed at the edge parts of surface and center area and its aspect ratios of grains were low and similar as 0.21 while that of middle area was closed to 0.92 value in ring forged Al 7050 alloy. The mechanical properties of extruded Al 7050 alloy were superior than those of ring forged one. The hardness values of surface and center part were slightly higher than that of middle part in ring forged Al 7050 alloy.