Effect of Variation in Magnesium and Copper on Mechanical Properties of X7475 Aluminium Alloy

L.T. Tuleun¹, J.D. Amine¹ and K. Abubakar^2,

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria

²Department of Research, Collaboration and Consultancy, National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Abuja, Nigeria

Cite this paper:
L.T. Tuleun, J.D. Amine and K. Abubakar. Effect of Variation in Magnesium and Copper on Mechanical Properties of X7475 Aluminium Alloy. American Journal of Materials Science and Engineering. 2014; 2(4):54-61. doi: 10.12691/ajmse-2-4-2

Abstract

Aluminium (Al) alloys are employed, from aerospace, automotive body panel, building industry to kitchen wares. This paper attempts to close an existing gap in the usage and variation in the percentage weight (% w.t.) of two constituents [Magnesium (Mg) and Copper (Cu)] in Al alloy and evaluate the impact of such variations on yield strength in N/mm² and percentage elongation (% e) at ambient temperature. Experimental X7475 alloy was prepared from constituents drawn from 6 % Zn, 2.5 % - 3.5 % Mg, 1.8 % - 3.0 % Cu, 0.03 % Mn, 0.23 % Cr and Al as balance in all cases. The result revealed that yield strength increased with increase in Mg and decreased with increase in Cu as a maximum yield strength of 384.57 N/mm² was displayed by an alloy of 2.5 % Mg, 3.0 % Cu while the least yield strength of 130.00 N/mm² was recorded by an alloy of 3.5 % Mg, 3.0 % Cu. Ductility (% e) increased with increase in Cu. The paper submitted that mechanical properties of Al alloys depend not only on the content of alloying elements, but also on their relative chemistries with each other, impact of impurities and heat treatments.

Keywords:
magnesium copper mechanical properties yield strength elongation X 7475 aluminium alloy

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