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Retrogression Forming and Reaging of an AA7075-T6 Alclad Sheet Material

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Abstract

Retrogression forming and reaging is a new scientific approach to producing components of high-strength aluminum alloys through warm forming followed by a single reaging heat treatment to restore T6 strength. Retrogression forming was applied to stamp 1.6-mm-thick AA7075-T6 Alclad sheet at 200 °C to a depth of 45 mm without visible defects or splitting. During stam**, the sheet material was subjected to multiple deformation modes common in automotive stam** processes, producing local major strains in excess of 20%. Time and temperature were controlled during retrogression forming using the concept of accumulated reduced retrogression time to enable recovery of the original T6 sheet strength by a single reaging heat treatment after forming. Tensile specimens extracted from the formed parts were tested to evaluate the effects of retrogression forming on strength. Reaging with a previously recommended reaging heat treatment of 120 °C for 24 h produced strengths approximately 5% greater than those of the original T6 temper. Reaging with a simulated paint-bake cycle of 185 °C for 25 min produced strengths nearly equivalent to those of the original T6 temper. Exceeding the maximum reduced time for retrogression during forming produced a strength loss that could not be recovered.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Hyunok Kim, Tom Feister, Laura Zoller, and Giacomo Melaragno from EWI for providing the facilities used for the forming experiments, their assistance with operating the forming equipment, and providing Argus™ strain data. The authors also thank Todd Meitzner for performing the tensile tests. One author, K. E. Rader, expresses gratitude to General Motors for support during summer research activities. This work was funded by the National Science Foundation under GOALI grant number CMMI-1634495 and by General Motors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 908 Battelle Boulevard, Richland, WA, 99352, USA

    Katherine E. Rader

  2. General Motors (retired), Global Research and Development, General Motors, Warren, MI, 48092, USA

    Jon T. Carter

  3. General Motors, Global Research and Development, General Motors, Warren, MI, 48092, USA

    Louis G. Hector Jr.

  4. Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 204 East Dean Keeton St, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Eric M. Taleff

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  1. Katherine E. Rader
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Correspondence to Katherine E. Rader.

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Rader, K.E., Carter, J.T., Hector, L.G. et al. Retrogression Forming and Reaging of an AA7075-T6 Alclad Sheet Material. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 31, 5311–5323 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-022-06663-1

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