Abstract: Direct thermo-mechanical coupled numerical simulation of the temperature field, as well as the stress field during the quenching process of the 7075 aluminum alloy plate is performed by introducing the flow stress characteristic of the aluminum alloy. Distributing rules of the quenching-induced residual stress is discussed. Compared with relevant experimental results, it shows close agreement with practical condition. Final quenching-induced residual stress level between the two numerical simulations, direct coupling and quasi coupling, is compared by using experimental results in relevant documents, which shows the direct coupling method has better accuracy. The non-monotonic distributing rule of the quenching-induced residual stress in the thickness direction (from the surface to the middle surface) can be simulated precisely by using the direct coupling method.

Key words: Aluminum alloy, Direct coupling, Flow stress, Numerical simulation, Quenching