Correlation among Microstructure, Texture, and Properties along the Thickness Direction in As-Hot-Rolled and As-Solution-Quenched Al7055 Thick Plates

Both microstructure inhomogeneity and mechanical property diversity along the thickness direction in rolled thick aluminum plates have been considered to have a remarkable impact on the performance and properties of the products made from the plates. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) characterizations of microstructure and texture types along the thickness directions of Al7055 thick plate specimens prepared using two conditions, hot-rolling and solution-quenching, were performed. To examine the mechanical properties, uniaxial tensile tests were also carried out on specimens machined from both types of thick plates, using a layered strategy along the thickness direction. The results indicate that both the microstructure and mechanical properties are inhomogeneous under the two conditions. Furthermore, it is evident that there is a hereditary relationship between the mechanical properties of the two plates—areas with higher yield strength in the as-hot-rolled plate correspond to areas with the higher yield strength in the as-solution-quenched plate