Metallurgical analysis of burst tested aluminium alloy AA 2219 miniature assembly

Abstract

A miniature assembly fabricated from aluminium alloy AA 2219 forging and 2.0 mm thick sheets is subjected to burst test using a pressure cartridge at very high strain rate of loading. The microstructural features associated with deformation at high rate of loading using explosive energy is analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microstructures consisted of adiabatic shear bands formed in an extremely short time by the combined effects of the highly localized shear deformation and the high temperature rise that occurred within the shear bands. Scanning electron microscopy revealed features of melting within the adiabatic shear band. This paper highlights the details of experiment carried out and the salient observations at microscopic level on the fracture surfaces taken from the test article.