The Role of Microstructure in the Gradient of Tensile Properties through Thickness in 7449 Aluminium Alloy Thick Plate

In this article, the yield strength, tensile strength, and the microstructure of the wrought aluminium alloy 7449 rolled thick plate have been studied through thickness under different temper conditions. For all heat treatments, it has been proven that the yield strength and tensile strength values increase from the surface to the centre. The largest difference between the centre and the surface, in both properties, occurs in the case of a sample aged at room temperature for 120 h (TTA temper). The sample artificially aged at 120 °C for 24 h (TTB temper) shows the best strength-gradient relationship of the tensile properties through the thickness. Metallographic characterisation carried out by optical and scanning electron microscopy shows much finer elongated grains in the region near the surface of the plate than in the centre, with incipient recrystallisation in the area near the surface. In addition, electron backscattered diffraction technique, used for micro-texture analysis, has proven the presence of a gradient of crystallography texture in the plate. This explains the yield strength gradient, since the rate of change of the Taylor factor through thickness correlates with the rate of the change of yield strength in the longitudinal direction for the samples studied.