• CN: 11-2187/TH
  • ISSN: 0577-6686

Journal of Mechanical Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (14): 45-55.doi: 10.3901/JME.2025.14.045

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Analysis of Deformation Behavior and Strengthening Mechanism of Al-Cu Alloy at Cryogenic Temperature

WANG Ruiqian1,2, LI Lubo1,2, LIU Wei1,2   

  1. 1. National Key Laboratory for Precision Hot Processing of Metals, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001;
    2. School of Material Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001
  • Received:2025-01-15 Revised:2025-04-28 Published:2025-08-25

Abstract: Al-Cu binary alloy is prepared as the model material, and the influence of temperature on its deformation behaviors and strengthening mechanism is studied. The mechanical properties, strain rate sensitivity, Portevin-Le Chatelier effect, dislocation evolution and fracture morphology of Al-Cu alloy at different temperatures are comprehensively studied by means of uniaxial tensile tests, in-situ strain measurement and electron microscopy observation. The temperature dependent strengthening model is established based on the classical theory. The results show that the mechanical properties of Al-Cu alloy first weaken and then increase with decreasing temperature, and the strength and elongation of Al-Cu alloy can be enhanced simultaneously when the temperature is lower than 123 K. In addition, the deformation transfer mode changes significantly with the decrease of temperature, from the cyclic propagation of PLC band to the whole coordinated uniform deformation. Through strengthening model analysis, it is found that the influence of cryogenic temperature on the deformation behavior of Al-Cu alloy is mainly attributed to the competitive relationship between two kinds of strengthening mechanisms. The weakening of dynamic strain ageing and the strengthening of other mechanisms with decreasing temperature synergistically lead to the first weakening and then strengthening of mechanical properties of Al-Cu alloy. It provides a theoretical basis for the practical application of cryogenic forming technology in aluminum alloys.

Key words: Al-Cu alloy, cryogenic temperature, Portevin-Le Chatelier effect, deformation behavior, strengthening mechanism

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