Effect of <i>In Situ</i> TiB₂ Particles on the Grain Size and Mechanical Properties of 7075 Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

Light-weight and high-strength aluminum alloy drill pipes are potential and promising to replace traditional steel drill pipes. In this study, the grain size and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy drilling pipe materials reinforced by in-situ TiB2 particles were studied. The results showed when reinforced by in-situ TiB2 particles the grain size of aluminum alloy materials was refined from 155 m to 57 m and ultimate tensile strength was increased from 590 MPa to 720 MPa. Besides, the results also indicated that the friction coefficient was reduced from 0.99 to 0.50 and thus the abrasion resistance of 7075 aluminum alloy was enhanced by 34 %. This study provided theoretical basis for the application of light-weight and high-strength aluminum alloy drill pipes in directional drilling and ultra-deep wells.