Semi-quantitative evaluation of texture components and fatigue properties in 2524 T3 aluminum alloy sheets

Effect of main texture components (Cube, Goss and Brass) on the fatigue property of 2524 T3 (Al-Cu-Mg) aluminum alloy sheet was investigated by means of X-Ray diffraction, electron back scattering diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and fatigue tests. A new kind of factors, which was based on the intensity ratio of texture components, were firstly defined to evaluate and discuss the relationship between texture components and the fatigue crack growth (FCG) rate semi-quantitatively. The results showed that the rate of FCG in the stable stage (II) decreased with an increase of the factor FCGB (the intensity ratio of Cube to Brass texture) obviously. When the new factor FCGB, FCG (the intensity ratio of Cube to Goss texture), and FGB (the intensity ratio of Goss to Brass texture) all exceeded than 1, as well as FCG was close to FGB, the 2524 T3 sheet exhibited the lowest fatigue crack growth rate (ΔK=33 MPa m1/2, da/dN<2.0×10−3). The Schmid factor and misorientation of grains boundaries would be responsible for such influence on the fatigue property.