Effect of the microstructure generated by Repetitive Corrugation and Straightening (RCS) process on the mechanical properties and stress corrosion cracking of Al-7075 alloy

Abstract This study discussed the effect of the heterogeneous microstructure generated through the Repetitive Corrugation and Straightening (RCS) process on the mechanical and stress corrosion cracking behavior of the AA7075. As a result of the RCS process, significant grain refinement was obtained. The average grain size ranged from 126 to 59 μm, for the initial condition and 4 RCS passes, respectively. The yield strength and hardness increased 170% and 15% from the initial pass, remaining almost constant afterward. The evaluation of stress corrosion cracking showed a decrement in the number of cracks of 21.6% and 23.5% between the initial condition and fourth RCS passes. The cracking and pitting corrosion were the dominant mechanisms in the tested samples. The mechanical and corrosion results were also discussed in terms of the microstructural features.