The Influence of Cryogenic Conditions on the Process of AA2519 Aluminum Alloy Cracking

Abstract

This study presents the results of tests involving determining quantities used to describe fracture toughness of a heat-treated AA2519 aluminum alloy applied in, among other things, constructing American military amphibians. These quantities were determined using the J–R curve method for two temperature values, 293 K and 77 K. The low temperature was provided by putting the tested specimen into a liquid nitrogen bath and keeping it there throughout the experiment. Based on the tests results, cryogenic conditions cause an increase in the maximum experimental value of the J–JQ integral, from 66.3 to 87.3 kJ/m2 Moreover, an analysis of the fatigue fracture microstructure revealed differences between specimens tested in ambient temperature and those tested in cryogenic temperature.