Aircraft forgings that are made of materials such as titanium alloy and aluminum alloy require pressure treatment processes during manufacturing to improve their mechanical properties and fatigue life. Below are several common pressure treatment processes for aircraft forgings, along with examples of their use in actual production.
- Heat Treatment
Heat treatment involves heating the forgings to a certain temperature and holding them for a period of time before quenching them with water or oil to change their structure and improve their mechanical properties and fatigue life. Common heat treatment methods used in aviation include aging and solution treating. For example, in the production of titanium alloy blades, heat treatment can increase the strength and hardness of the material while also improving its corrosion resistance and extending its service life.
- Cold Treatment
Cold treatment involves cold deformation of the metal at room temperature to change its structure and properties. Common cold treatment methods include cold rolling, cold drawing, and cold extrusion. For example, in the production of aluminum alloy frames, cold hardening treatment can increase the material’s strength and hardness while also improving its formability and reducing its fatigue crack propagation rate.
- Lightweight Treatment
Lightweight treatment involves a low level of cold deformation and tempering of the forgings to make the material denser and improve their mechanical properties while reducing residual internal stress. For example, light treatment in the production of aircraft engine blade forgings can improve their strength and hardness, increase fatigue life, and improve vibration resistance.
In conclusion, various pressure treatment processes play an important role in the manufacturing of aviation forgings, enabling improved thermal stability and mechanical performance to extend service life. It is important to note that different forging materials and structures require different pressure treatment methods and precise control over processing parameters such as temperature, time, and cooling rate during production.
