On the Origin of the Enhanced Creep Resistance in Underaged Al-Cu Based Alloys

Abstract

It has recently been observed that the creep resistance of Al-Cu based precipitation hardened alloys may be enhanced through use of the underaged temper. We have treated this problem theoretically by considering the motion of a dislocation through a precipitation hardened structure and discuss the physical origin of the enhanced creep resistance in the underaged condition. The variation in expected creep resistance as a function of aging treatment is calculated and the possible generality of the experimental observations is considered.