A study on the combined effects of creep and environment-induced damage on aluminum alloy 2219

Aluminum alloys have over the years grown both in stature and in strength so as to be a prime of “preferred” candidate for use in a spectrum of applications in the industries spanning aerospace and automotive. However, the aluminum alloys are often susceptible to failure. This necessitated the need for a careful, cautious, and complete study of their safety and durability. At present, research into understanding the creep behavior of aluminum alloys is focused on high-temperatures with little attention being given to creep upon exposure to aggressive aqueous environments. In this study, aluminum alloy 2219 was subjected to uniaxial tensile creep tests very much in accordance with the creep test standard for the purpose of investigating the room temperature creep behavior of the alloy under constant load and at room temperature. Based on the Norton–Bailey creep model, the relevant parameters in the room temperature creep constitutive model of aluminum alloy 2219 were determined. Creep is combined with environment-induced damage. A corresponding creep-environment-induced damage model was established to predict the creep behavior of aluminum alloy structures in actual service environments.