| Femnal alloys with different percentages of cold rolling were tested for hardness, strength (yield and ultimate tensile), and elongation. Evaluations and comparisons were carried out to determine the type of material processing with the best performance. The optical and scanning electron microscopes were used to investigate the microstructure, fatigue initiation, crack propagation and overload fracture.; The results led to the conclusion of a very strong and ductile material, with many favorable mechanical properties, and a material that withstands well to fatigue loading. The enhancing effect of cold work on aging was reversed to an effect of sluggishness, probably due to the dislocation-shear reversion mechanism. Thermomechanical treatments, such as the rolling and aging utilized here, proved to be effective in strengthening the material and improving its hardness. |
