OXIDATION OF ARTIFICIALLY AGED AA 2014 ALUMINUM ALLOY AND INVESTIGATION OF ITS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

This study was conducted to better understand the phases formed in Al-Cu alloys generally known for their usage as construction material for aircraft. In this study, the homogenisation of AA 2014 aluminum alloy was performed for 20 min in an air furnace at 530 degrees C. Test samples were artificially aged at 190 C for 3, 5 and 7 h in a conventional furnace. The samples were then subjected to an oxidation treatment by sending pure oxygen gas into the annealing furnace at 600 C and at the same ageing times. The internal structure characterisation, microhardness, corrosion, wear, SEM and XRD analyses of the oxidised alloys were carried out after they were subjected to a corrosion process. The oxidised samples in the air furnace were subjected to a wear process. Wear tests were performed under non-lubricated conditions using 8 mm diameter steel balls. Wear tests were conducted under one load (5 N), at a sliding speed of 0.25 m/s, for a sliding distance of 300 m, at room temperature. The effect of precipitates formed in the internal structure of AA 2014 aluminum alloys as a result of the heat treatment on the level of oxidation and the formation of a hard layer was investigated.