Acoustic emission and microstructure in aluminium alloys 7075 and 7050

AbstractThe relationship between microstructure and acoustic emission (AE) detected during tensile deformation has been investigated for the commercial aluminium alloys 7075–T7351 and 7050–T7351. Also, AE measurements made during tensile deformation of 7075–T7351 and high-purity aluminium have been compared with those made during compressive deformation. It is concluded that the fracture of brittle inclusions is the source of AE detected during tensile deformation of the alloys. An observed variation in AE activity from specimen to specimen (of both alloys) has been attributed to the inhomogeneous distribution of these inclusions in the plates used for specimen manufacture.