Microstructure and mechanical properties of 2A12 aluminum alloy after age forming

The comparative experiments of age forming and artificial aging of 2A12 aluminum alloy were carried out. The effect of the age forming on the microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. The results demonstrate that the grains are further squashed and elongated compared with artificial aging due to the existence of the applied stress during the age forming. Meanwhile, the precipitated phases change from circle shape with random orientation of age forming to long strip shape with uniform orientation of artificial aging. The dislocation configuration in samples changes from ring dislocation or helical dislocation of the artificial aging to long and straight dislocation of the age forming. Otherwise, age forming slightly reduces the tensile properties and fracture toughness of the alloy and enhances its fatigue crack growth rate.