Residual stresses in large quenched aluminum alloy articles

1. The magnitude and distribution of residual stresses in large quenched articles with a solid or a hollow cross section made of the D16 aluminum alloy depend on the cooling rate during quenching and on the plastic properties of the alloy. 2. It is preferable to quench the articles after drilling holes in them. In this case the tensile and compression stresses over the cross section decrease. Compression stresses are created on the inner surfaces. 3. It is preferable to quench large articles in hot water to prevent the creation of prohibitively high residual stresses.