Correlation of Strength with Hardness and Electrical Conductivity for Aluminium Alloy 7010

Abstract

The tensile strength, proof strength, hardness and electrical conductivity of Al alloy 7010 under different temper and ageing conditions were investigated with the aim to correlate strength with hardness and electrical conductivity so that the strength of the alloy can be determined nondestructively. Following the solutionising treatment, continuous age hardening was performed on a series of test coupons, taken from a large plate, to produce a wide range of precipitation hardening conditions, which gave rise to progressive variations of strength, hardness and conductivity. The relationship between strength and hardness was found to be reasonably linear, whereas the relationship between hardness and strength with electrical conductivity was non-linear. The ageing conditions and therefore the mechanical properties of the components can be predicted more accurately by the simultaneous combination of hardness and conductivity values.