Accurate Measurement of CTE of Aluminum Alloy 7050-T7451 and the Impact on Thermal Deformation Analysis

Abstract

Linear expansion coefficient (CTE) is one of the important thermal parameters for materials, which has a great influence on the thermal deformation analyzing. Thermal Mechanical Analysis (TMA) is adopted to measure the CTE of pre-stretched aluminum alloy sheet 7050-T7451 in three vertical directions. The mathematical functions of CTE of aluminum alloy 7050-T7451 are established, which is with three directions and reflect the influence of the temperature. A comparison between the accurate CTE data and the CTE from reference is carried out .The reason of the CTE variation of aluminum 7050-T7451 with temperature also been explained qualitatively.