Microstructural characterization and mechanical behavior analysis of 7075-T6 aluminum subjected to simulated lightning strikes

Aircrafts damages caused by lightning strikes have been known since the early days of aviation. However, the physical effects on the aircraft structure are still being investigated. This work seeks to evaluate the lightning strike effects in the aluminum alloy 7075-T6. Samples were submitted to lightning strike simulation in laboratory and the damages evaluated through characterization techniques. Ultrasound and profilometry tests have shown material loss to 0.272 mm depth in the damaged region. In addition, it was detected the material accumulation occurrence in the damage vicinity of the region. Below the damage, it was found a region where metallurgical changes were identified. The tensile and microhardness tests results have shown reduction in the percentage elongation and hardness increasing in the material affected by lightning. These results are corroborated by the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld Method (red line) that indicated an increasing in dislocation density and micro-deformation in the material matrix. Optical microscopy results have shown the presence of microcracks on the normal and cross-section surface of the samples damaged. The Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDXS) and Electron Backscattered Diffraction Test (EBSD) found coarse intermetallic phases and precipitates compounds with dimensions greater than 1 μm in length. They were responsible for nucleation of the microcracks that propagate along the material grain boundaries.     

含缺陷三维编织复合材料热膨胀系数计算

通过将细观力学的Ｅｓｈｅｌｂｙ和Ｍｏｒｉ－Ｔａｎａｋａ理论与刚度平均化方法相结合，对含定向基体微裂纹的三维编织复合材料热膨胀系数进行了理论计算，分析了纤维体积含量，微裂纹密度和编织参数变化对热膨胀系数的影响，为材料设计和应用提供了理论基础。