Cracking of AFNOR 7020 aluminium alloy component: A metallurgical investigation

Aluminium alloy of Al–4.5Zn–1.5Mg system, belonging to age hardenable, high strength category is being used for the fabrication of various components. The Al alloy component was part of a conduit line for filling the liquid chemical to its storage tank. The component consisted of an extruded tube, TIG welded to a bulb, which was fabricated from Al alloy forgings. A crack was observed on the conduit tube at the region where tube was welded to the bulb. Detailed investigations were carried out on the cracked component, which revealed insufficient working of the ingot during forging, resulting in remnant cast structure along with a heavy network of low melting point compound throughout the material. The cracks, which were initiated under the stresses induced during thermal treatment, machining and assembly, were found propagating through the eutectic network.This paper highlights the investigations carried out on the failed components.